Abstract:
A printing blanket sleeve is provided having two separable sections including a carcass sleeve and a face sleeve. The face sleeve is mounted over the carcass sleeve such that, when the printing blanket sleeve is installed on a blanket cylinder, the carcass sleeve and the face sleeve form an integral unit in use. The printing blanket sleeve is provided in separable sections so that the printing surface may be replaced in a manner wherein the carcass sleeve, including preferably at least some portion of the inner layers, can be reused with new printing surfaces. Further, the printing blanket sleeve is arranged such that the user of the printing blanket sleeve can change the printing surface of the printing blanket sleeve on-site so that there is no longer a need to discard the entire printing blanket sleeve, or alternatively send the printing blanket sleeve back to the manufacturer to be reconditioned.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates in general to a printing blanket sleeve and in particular to a seamless printing blanket sleeve having a replaceable printing surface.  
           [0002]    A typical blanket cylinder on an offset printing press includes an axially extending groove, or lock up gutter with clamping segments. Printing blankets are provided in sheets that are wrapped around the blanket cylinder such that the opposite ends of the printing blanket are inserted and clamped in the groove. Because the loose ends of the blanket must be secured to the cylinder, the surface of the blanket when mounted will have a gap where the edges are drawn. As a consequence, print quality, speed of operation, and available print region dimensions are affected. Press downtime, including printing blanket change over time, can also be excessive.  
           [0003]    These problems can be minimized where the printing blanket is provided as a gapless sleeve that is capable of mounting onto the blanket cylinder. Because the sleeve is essentially stretched while on the blanket cylinder however, the sleeve is exposed to considerable peripheral and circumferential forces. Additionally, while operating the press, the blanket sleeve is exposed to high revolution speeds and impact with other components of the press, including a plate cylinder with printing plates. As such, the printing blanket sleeve will eventually dynamically fatigue. Where the printing blanket sleeve has experienced sufficient dynamic fatigue, print quality will be affected, and the printing blanket sleeve must be replaced. However, it is usually either the printing surface, or the adhesive that holds the printing surface to the first internal layer, that will fail. The remaining layers are often functionally intact.  
           [0004]    Currently, some fatigued printing blanket sleeves are discarded. This leads to considerable waste and cost as the materials used to construct the base layer and internal layers constitute a significant portion of the total materials cost for the sleeve production. Alternatively, the fatigued printing blanket sleeves are sent back to the manufacturer to be reconditioned or “recapped”. While reconditioning allows for recycling of certain reusable portions of the fatigued printing blanket sleeve, the press operator must ship the entire printing blanket sleeve back to the manufacturer. The manufacturer must remove the worn portions of the printing blanket sleeve, and assemble a new printing surface and internal components to the printing blanket sleeve. This causes considerable cost to the manufacturer. Further, some sleeves returned to the manufacturer have damage to the nickel base from shipping or handling and cannot be reprocessed.  
           [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a gapless printing blanket that allows for a simple changeover of the printing surface of a fatigued printing blanket sleeve, where the changeover can be accomplished directly on the press, or on-site, near the press.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of previous printing sleeves by providing a renewable printing sleeve where the printing surface and optionally, one or more support layers, are removed from the printing sleeve and replaced.  
           [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing blanket sleeve includes two separable sections, including a carcass sleeve and a face sleeve. The carcass sleeve comprises a base sleeve, and preferably one or more internal layers including a compressible layer. The face sleeve comprises a first internal surface and a printing surface. The compressible layer may alternatively be included with the face sleeve between the first internal surface and the printing surface. The face sleeve is installed over the carcass sleeve to define a printing blanket sleeve. When the printing blanket sleeve is installed on a blanket cylinder of a printing press, the carcass sleeve and the face sleeve rotate as an integral unit. Should the printing surface excessively wear or fatigue, the face sleeve may be replaced. However, the carcass sleeve may be recycled for numerous lifetimes by installing a new face sleeve over the existing carcass sleeve.  
           [0008]    Further, the printing blanket sleeve is arranged such that the user of a printing press can preferably replace the face sleeve on-site, and more preferably at or near the machinery, so that there is no longer a need to either discard the entire printing blanket sleeve, or alternatively to send the printing blanket sleeve back to the manufacturer to be recapped. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals, and in which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a printing blanket sleeve mounted on a blanket cylinder according to one embodiment of the present invention, where the press has been removed for clarity, and the printing blanket sleeve is shown with layers that are cut away for illustrative purposes;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a printing blanket sleeve mounted on a blanket cylinder according to another embodiment of the present invention, where the press has been removed for clarity, and the printing blanket sleeve is shown with layers that are cut away for illustrative purposes;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is an end perspective of the carcass sleeve of the printing blanket sleeve according to FIG. 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is an end perspective of the face sleeve of the printing blanket sleeve according to FIG. 2;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration of the carcass sleeve, and a cut-out portion of the face sleeve mounted on a blanket cylinder according to FIGS.  2 - 4 , illustrating the alignment of apertures in the carcass sleeve with the aeration holes provided on the blanket cylinder;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a printing blanket sleeve mounted on a blanket cylinder according to another embodiment of the present invention, where the press has been removed for clarity, and the printing blanket sleeve is shown with layers that are cut away for illustrative purposes;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is an end perspective of the carcass sleeve of the printing blanket sleeve according to FIG. 6;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is an end perspective of the face sleeve of the printing blanket sleeve according to FIG. 6; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is an diagrammatic view of the carcass sleeve, and a cut-out portion of the face sleeve mounted on a blanket cylinder according to FIGS.  6 - 8 , illustrating the alignment of apertures in the carcass sleeve with the aeration holes provided on the blanket cylinder. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Reference is made to the figures, which illustrate printing blanket sleeve construction according to the present invention. It will be appreciated that these are diagrammatic figures, and that the dimensions are not shown to scale.  
       The Renewal Sleeve  
       [0020]    As shown in FIG. 1, a printing blanket sleeve  100  comprises a base sleeve  102 , a first reinforcing layer  104 , a compressible layer  106 , a second reinforcing layer  108 , and a printing face  110 . The printing blanket sleeve  100  is mounted on a blanket cylinder  112  as shown. The blanket cylinder  112  is part of a printing press as is known in the art. As such, the printing press is not shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    In practice, various ones of the components of the printing blanket sleeve  100  are combined for form two discrete sleeves that may be assembled such that the two sleeves rotate on the blanket cylinder  112  as an integral unit. However, the sleeves may be separated so that the printing face  110  may be replaced and one or more of the underlying components recycled for multiple lifetimes as more fully explained herein. Each of the components of the printing blanket sleeve  100  are illustrated in cut out fashion progressively cut away from the left hand side of FIG. 1  so that each individual component may be identified and discussed.  
         [0022]    The base sleeve  102  is preferably electroformed out of nickel. However, other suitable materials may be used including stainless steel, aramid fibers, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy, fiberglass reinforced plastic, or fiberglass reinforced polyester resin.  
         [0023]    The first reinforcing layer  104  imparts a high coefficient of friction to the surface of the base sleeve  102 . For example, the first reinforcing layer  104  may comprise a polymer wound cord, fabric, wound fibers such as polyester, cotton, fiberglass, cottonwrapped polyester, rayon, carbon filaments, or other high modulus synthetic or organic fibers. Suitable synthetic fibers include for example, aramid fibers and fiberglass or polyester threads available from a variety of sources. The first reinforcing layer  104  is not required to practice the present invention. However, the first reinforcing layer  104  provides additional rigidity to the base sleeve  102 , thus reducing the chance of damaging the base sleeve  102  during handling.  
         [0024]    The compressible layer  106  is an elastomer having the required properties to perform applications typically associated with heat set web offset printing. The compressible layer  106  may be formed using techniques as known in the art. For example, an elastomeric compound including known processing, stabilizing, strengthening and curing additives may be used to form the compressible layer  106 . Any suitable polymeric material that is considered a curable or vulcanizable material can be used, including for example, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene/propylene/nonconjugated dieneterpolymer rubber(EPDM), butyl rubber, neoprene, butadiene, acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), or polyurethanes. An elastomer that is resistant to solvents and ink is preferable. For example, the compressible layer  106  may include microspheres impregnated into an elastomer as disclosed in US Patent 4,770,928 entitled, “METHOD OF CURING A COMPRESSIBLE PRINTING BLANKET AND A COMPRESSIBLE PRINTING BLANKET PRODUCED THEREBY”, and herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0025]    The compressible layer  106  secures to the first reinforcing layer  104  using techniques as are known in the art. For example, in construction, a printing blanket sleeve comprises a nickel base sleeve, a first reinforcing layer, and a compressible layer applied over the reinforcing layer using conventional spreading machines. Alternatively, in a second construction, a compressible layer is formed directly onto a nickel base sleeve using pour or injection molding techniques. The compressible layer  106  may alternatively be applied using extrude spray spun processes or other techniques as is known in the art. Further, one skilled in the art will recognize that the compressible layer  106  may be substantially vulcanized prior to assembly, or may be secured to either the first reinforcing layer  104  or the base sleeve  102  by means of a suitable adhesive. Additionally, the compressible layer  106  may require additional processing and preparation. For example, it may be necessary to grind the compressible layer  106  to a desired dimension before completing assembly of the printing blanket sleeve  100 .  
         [0026]    The second reinforcing layer  108  is optional, and preferably comprises a layer of non-stretchable material. For example, the second reinforcing layer  108  may be a layer of woven or nonwoven fabric, a reinforcing film such as mylar (polyester), a reinforced film such as carbon fiber or aramid fiber, cord, fiberglass or a surface layer of hard polyurethane. Additionally, the second reinforcing layer  108  may be a sleeve similar in construction and materials as the base sleeve  102  described herein. Where the second reinforcing layer  108  is formed from a fabric layer, the material may include plain woven fabric from high grade cotton yarns, which are free from slubs and knots, weaving defects, seeds, etc. The fabric may also be rayon, nylon, polyester, or mixtures thereof.  
         [0027]    The printing face  110  may be any printing surface as is known in the art. For example, the printing face  110  may comprise a strip formed around and adhesively held to the second reinforcing layer  108 . Alternatively, the printing face  1   10  may comprise a gapless tubular composite such as an extruded face tube as is known in the art. The printing face  110  is secured to the surface of second reinforcing layer  108 . For example, the printing face  110  may be adhesively affixed to the second reinforcing layer  108  using a rubber cement. It shall be observed that where a second reinforcing layer  108  is not used, the printing face  110  is secured to the compressible layer  106 .  
       Two Piece Sleeve  
       [0028]    Referring to FIG. 2, the printing blanket sleeve  200  includes layers similar to the layers of the printing blanket sleeve  100  described with reference to FIG. 1. As such, like layers are identified with a reference number  100  higher than the corresponding layer discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Further, each of the layers of the printing blanket sleeve  200  are shown in cut away fashion for illustrative purposes and to facilitate discussion.  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 2, a printing blanket sleeve  200  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a carcass sleeve  214  and a face sleeve  216 . The face sleeve  216  is mounted over, and secured to the carcass sleeve  214  such that lateral and rotational motion of the carcass sleeve  214  with respect to the face sleeve  216  is prevented. As such, the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216  will rotate as an integral unit when properly installed on a suitable blanket cylinder  212 . The face sleeve  216  comprises a printing face  210 , and may optionally include one or more internal layers as more fully described herein. Further, the carcass sleeve  214  includes a base sleeve  202  and optionally one or more internal layers as more fully described herein.  
         [0030]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carcass sleeve  214  includes a base sleeve  202 , and optionally, a first reinforcing layer  204 . For example, the first reinforcing layer  204  may comprise a polymer wound cord or fabric that imparts a high coefficient of friction to the surface of the base sleeve  202 , and provides rigidity to reduce the chances of damage to the base sleeve  202  during handling as more fully described herein.  
         [0031]    As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the face sleeve  216  is constructed by forming a first internal surface  220 , forming a compressible layer  206  over the first internal surface  220 , optionally applying a second reinforcing layer  208  over the compressible layer  206 , and applying a printing face  210  over the second reinforcing layer  208 . The first internal surface  220  defines an internal surface capable of being releasably securable to the carcass sleeve  214 . The first internal surface  220  is constructed to have an internal surface capable of establishing a temporary bond with the outside surface of the carcass sleeve  214  while the printing blanket sleeve  200  is installed on a blanket cylinder. It shall be observed that the first internal surface  220  is shown in the figures as a separate layer for illustrative purposes. It shall be appreciated that the first internal surface  220  may be a separately formed layer, or alternatively be the inside surface of one of the layers. The exact approach to form the first internal surface  220  will depend upon the manner selected to temporarily secure the face sleeve  216  to the carcass sleeve  214 . For example, the first internal surface  220  may comprise a nickel sleeve, or other material including those discussed with reference to the base sleeve  102  herein where the face sleeve  216  is floated over the carcass sleeve and secured thereto by friction as more fully described herein. Alternatively, the first internal surface may comprise the internal surface of the compressible layer  106  or other intermediate layers where the face sleeve is temporarily bonded to the carcass sleeve using mechanical, adhesive or chemical techniques as more fully explained herein. It shall be appreciated that optional reinforcing layers (not shown) may be applied between the first internal surface  220  and the compressible layer  206  such as the first or second reinforcing layers  104 ,  108  discussed above.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 2, the carcass sleeve  214  is manufactured to have a width  214 W generally equal to the width of the blanket cylinder  212  to which the printing blanket sleeve  200  is to be mounted. The face sleeve  216  may be manufactured to any desired width  216 W, up to the width  214 W of the carcass sleeve  214  and beyond, as a particular application dictates. For example, the face sleeve  216  may be manufactured to a width  216 W, which is less than the width  214 W of the carcass sleeve  216  and generally equal to the web width (not shown) according to job requirements. Further, the face sleeve  216  may be manufactured to a width  216 W that is greater than the width  214 W of the carcass sleeve  214  where the printing blanket sleeve  200  is assembled with certain air assist tools.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, while both the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216  are in relaxed states, the carcass sleeve  214  has an outer diameter  214  greater than the inner diameter  2161 D of the face sleeve  216 . The face sleeve  216  is expanded radially outward by applying a pressurized gas, preferably compressed air, against the inner surface  230  of the first internal surface  220 , and floated over the carcass sleeve  214 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of through apertures  224  are provided along the surface of the carcass sleeve  214 . The through apertures  224  are arranged to align with aeration holes  226  provided along the surface of the blanket cylinder  212  on which the printing blanket sleeve  200  is mountable. While the through apertures  224  are illustrated as being circumferentially positioned near the end portions  228  of the carcass sleeve  214 , it shall be appreciated that the location of the aeration holes  226 , and accordingly the location of the through apertures  224 , may vary depending upon the configuration of the particular blanket cylinder  212  to which the printing blanket sleeve  200  is mountable. Further, it shall be appreciated that the through apertures  224  are illustrated with dashed lines to indicate that the through apertures  224  extend entirely through the carcass sleeve  214 , to align with the aeration holes  226  provided along the blanket cylinder  212 . The apertures  224  may be formed from porous materials with any varying levels of permeability placed strategically within one or more of the layers of the carcass sleeve  214 , or throughout the entire carcass sleeve  214 .  
         [0035]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the carcass sleeve  214  is positioned on the blanket cylinder  212  such that the through apertures  224  align substantially in register with aeration holes  226  provided along the surface of the blanket cylinder  212 . The carcass sleeve  212  remains in position on the blanket cylinder while face sleeves  216  are mounted thereon, and removed therefrom. This allows the printing surface of the printing blanket sleeve  200  to be changed over directly on the printing press. Pressure is selectively applied from a source coupled to the blanket cylinder  212  as is known in the art. For example, the blanket cylinder  212  has a central lumen (not shown) and a plurality of passages extending radially from the central lumen. A source of pressurized gas communicates with the central lumen in the blanket cylinder  212 , the plurality of passages and the inner surface of the printing blanket sleeve  200 .  
         [0036]    The first internal surface  220  is elastically expandable diametrically in a slight amount. As the face sleeve  216  is slid towards the carcass sleeve  214 , the pressure forced through the aeration holes  226  and associated through apertures  224  causes expansion of the inside diameter of the face sleeve  216  radially outward, thus providing creep allowing the face sleeve  216  to slip on and off the carcass sleeve  214 . Once the face sleeve  216  is properly situated on the carcass sleeve  214 , the pressure source is removed. As such, the inside diameter of the face sleeve  216  contracts generally causing a tight frictional relationship to exist between the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216 . As such, the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216  will operate as an integral unit when properly installed on a suitable blanket cylinder. The face sleeve  216  is expanded under moderate air pressure, for example, less than  100  psi, and slipped over the carcass sleeve  214  while in an expanded state.  
         [0037]    The carcass sleeve  214  may optionally include an expansion/contraction valve  232  arranged to selectively provide expansion and contraction to the face sleeve  216 . Such an arrangement may be desirable where the blanket cylinder does not provide aeration holes or where provided aeration holes do not sufficiently align with the through apertures provided through the carcass sleeve  214 . An air hose or other source (not shown) is selectively coupled to the expansion/contraction valve  232  for providing the creep necessary to slip the face sleeve  216  over the carcass sleeve  214 . Where and expansion/contraction valve  232  is provided on the carcass sleeve  214 , it is not necessary that the apertures  224  extend entirely through the carcass sleeve  214 . Rather, the apertures  224  need only be able to receive pressure from a source coupled to the expansion/contraction valve  232 , and direct the pressure radially outward. Therefore, the carcass sleeve  214  may require duct work or other passages to couple the expansion/contraction valve  232  to each of the plurality of apertures  224 . It shall be observed that the face sleeve  216  may be wider than the carcass sleeve  214  under this arrangement to allow installation, trim, and the like to fit properly.  
         [0038]    As an alternative to leaving the carcass sleeve  214  on the blanket cylinder  212 , the entire printing blanket sleeve  200  may be removed from the blanket cylinder  212  prior to replacing the face sleeve  216 . This approach is currently preferred over changing the face sleeve  216  while leaving the carcass sleeve  214  on the blanket cylinder  212 . The printing blanket sleeve  200  is attached to a mounting frame (not shown), a new face sleeve  216  is placed on the carcass sleeve  214 , and then the printing blanket sleeve  200  is replaced on the blanket cylinder  212 . The mounting frame may include a pressure source that aligns with the through apertures in the carcass sleeve  214 , or the carcass sleeve  214  may include an expansion/contraction valve  232 . In either embodiment, the removal of the face sleeve  216  from the carcass sleeve  214  is substantially as described above.  
         [0039]    It shall be appreciated that other mechanical bonding methods may be used with the present invention other than pure friction to secure the carcass sleeve  214  to the face sleeve  216 . This may be desirable because under certain circumstances, through holes may cause printing problems. For example, a spline and taper lock arrangement (not shown) may be used where grooved passages are cut or molded on either the carcass sleeve  214  to fit matching forms on the face sleeve  216 . Alternatively, “V” notch/groove techniques as are known in the art may be used. The surface of the carcass sleeve  214  may further be knurled. Additionally, friction materials with high coefficients of friction such as polyurethanes and nitrites may be used as is known in the art.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 2, where it is undesirable, or unpractical to use a compressed gas to float the face sleeve  216  off of the carcass sleeve  214 , an optional bonding adhesive  234  may be applied between the carcass sleeve  214 , and the face sleeve  216 . The bonding adhesive  234  may be for example, a heat activated thermoplastic or thermoset bonding agent, such as polyvinyls, acrylics, polyurethanes, polyolefins, and thermoplastic esters. The bonding adhesive may be applied using any techniques known in the art, including for example ring coating or using an x-head extruder. Upon or during assembly of the face sleeve  216  to the carcass sleeve  214 , heat is applied to the printing blanket sleeve  200  to activate the adhesive character of the bonding adhesive  234  applied thereto.  
         [0041]    After removal of the heat, cooling completes the bonding process. The bonding adhesive  234  can be applied as an extruded tube, spiral wrapped tape, or directly coated. For example, bonding can be achieved by first applying heat to a predetermined level to melt the bonding adhesive  234 . The bonding adhesive  234  will become a fluid when melted, allowing the face sleeve  216  to be slid onto the carcass sleeve  214 . Then, by applying a higher heat, the bonding adhesive  234  cures and sets. The face sleeve  216  can be removed from the carcass sleeve  214  by applying a removal force, for example by heating the printing blanket sleeve  200  and removing the face sleeve  216  before the temperature cools sufficiently to reactivate the bonding properties of the bonding adhesive  234 . When utilizing a heat activated adhesive to bond the face sleeve  216  to the carcass sleeve  214 , it may be necessary to recondition the outer surface of the carcass sleeve  214  prior to installation of the new face sleeve  216 . It shall be observed that the inside diameter  2161 D of the face sleeve  216  need not be smaller than the outside diameter  2140 D of the carcass sleeve  214  when using the bonding adhesive  234 . Rather, the face sleeve  216  should be dimensioned to allow the face sleeve  216  to slide over the carcass sleeve  214 .  
         [0042]    As an alternative to the heat activated adhesive, the bonding adhesive  234  may be a solvent activated bonding adhesive agent or catalytic such as cot adhesive applied between the face sleeve  216  and the carcass sleeve  214 . The bond is activated when the solvent is completely evaporated. To remove the face sleeve  216  from the carcass sleeve  214 , a removing force is applied. For example, the face sleeve  216  is mechanically cut off, using care not to damage the carcass sleeve  214 . As with the use of the heat activated adhesive, some reconditioning of the carcass sleeve  214  may be required prior to installing the new face sleeve  216 . It shall be appreciated that other chemical adhesive systems can be utilized to secure the face sleeve  216  to the carcass sleeve  214 .  
         [0043]    It shall be observed that the printing blanket sleeve  200  may comprise any number of layers that can be divided between the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216  in any number of ways so long as there is at least two separable sleeve components that can mated in a manner such that the assembly of the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216  operate as an integral unit when installed on a printing press. Preferably, the face sleeve  216  may be replaced from the carcass sleeve  214  either while the carcass sleeve  214  remains on the printing press (not shown) or alternatively, both the carcass sleeve  214  and the face sleeve  216  are removed from the printing press and the face sleeve  216  is replaced on-site, preferably near the printing press.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 6, the printing blanket sleeve  300  includes similar layers as described above. As such, like layers are identified with a reference number  200  higher than the corresponding layer discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Further, each of the layers of the printing blanket sleeve  300  are shown in cut away fashion for illustrative purposes and to facilitate discussion. The embodiment of FIGS.  6 - 9  differs from the embodiment of FIGS.  2 - 5  in that the compressible layer is included with the face sleeve in FIGS.  2 - 5  and the compressible layer is included with the carcass sleeve in FIGS.  6 - 9   
         [0045]    A printing blanket sleeve  300  is mounted on a blanket cylinder  312 , and includes carcass sleeve  314 , and a face sleeve  316 . The face sleeve  316  is mounted onto, and secured to the carcass sleeve  314  such that lateral and rotational motion of the carcass sleeve  314  with respect to the face sleeve  316  is prevented. As such, the carcass sleeve  314  and the face sleeve  316  will rotate as an integral unit when properly installed on a suitable blanket cylinder  312 .  
         [0046]    The carcass sleeve  314  includes a base sleeve  302  and a compressible layer  306 . It shall be observed that the carcass sleeve  314  may optionally include a first reinforcing layer  304  between the base sleeve  302  and the compressible layer  306  as described more fully herein. Further, a second reinforcing layer  308  may be applied over the compressible layer  306 .  
         [0047]    The face sleeve  316  includes a first internal surface  320 , and a printing face  310  installed over the first internal surface  320 . The first internal surface  320  may be the inside surface of an existing layer, or may be a layer specially provided to temporarily bond with the carcass sleeve as discussed above. For example, the printing face  310  may comprise an extruded face tube as discussed herein. The inside surface of the extruded face tube  310  may be prepared to have the properties required to releasably bond with the carcass sleeve, such as when using certain mechanical, chemical or adhesive bonding techniques. Optionally, one or more reinforcing layers and/or a layer specifically intended to releasably bond to the carcass sleeve may be required. For example, the printing face  310  may be secured to a sleeve such as a nickel sleeve. The nickel sleeve may be used to releasably secure to the carcass sleeve using frictional forces as more fully described herein.  
         [0048]    The face sleeve  316  is mounted onto the carcass sleeve  314  such that a relationship exists therebetween to prevent lateral and rotational motion of the carcass sleeve  314  with respect to the compressible face sleeve  316 . Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, while both the carcass sleeve  314  and the face sleeve  316  are in relaxed states, the carcass sleeve  314  has an outer diameter  3140 D greater than the inner diameter  3161 D of the face sleeve  316 . Referring to FIG. 9, where pressure is used to expand the inner diameter of the first internal surface  320 , a plurality of apertures  324  are provided along the surface of the carcass sleeve  314 . Where the blanket cylinder  312  includes suitable aeration holes  326 , the apertures  324  may be through apertures as described above. Likewise, where the carcass sleeve  314  includes an expansion/contraction valve  332 , the apertures  324  need not extend entirely through the carcass sleeve  314 .  
         [0049]    It shall be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the printing blanket sleeve  300  differs from printing blanket sleeve  200  in that the arrangement of the compressible layer and reinforcing layers. In the printing blanket sleeve  200 , the compressible layer  306  is integral with the face tube  310 . In contrast, the printing blanket sleeve  300  includes the compressible layer  310  integral with the carcass sleeve  314 . Otherwise, the construction, materials, and techniques of assembly are identical to those described herein.  
         [0050]    Further, the use of the bonding adhesive  234  discussed with reference to the two piece sleeve constructions discussed with reference to FIGS.  2 - 9  may be used on the renewal printing blanket sleeve discussed with reference to FIG. 1.  
         [0051]    Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.