Patent Publication Number: US-2011056039-A1

Title: Cylinder cleaning device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a cylinder cleaning device for cleaning a cylinder provided on a printing press. In particular, the present invention relates to the cylinder cleaning device which presses a cleaning fabric against the surface of the cylinder with a pressure pad to clean it. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A printing press includes a plurality of cylinders and prints a newspaper and the like. The surface of the cylinder must be cleaned often to remove residual ink or stain such as paper dust and the like. 
     A cylinder cleaning device is used to clean the surface of the cylinder. The cylinder cleaning device is built in the printing press. There exist several types of the cylinder cleaning device. The most typical cylinder cleaning device uses a cleaning fabric. The cylinder cleaning device presses the cleaning fabric against the surface of the rotating cylinder with a pressure pad and wipes the surface of the cylinder with the cleaning fabric.  FIG. 18  is an explanatory view illustrating the prior cylinder cleaning device using the cleaning fabric. 
     The cylinder cleaning device  1  opposes to the cylinder  100  as the cleaning object. 
     The cleaning fabric  4  is supplied from a supply roll  2  and taken up onto a take up roll  5  through the pressure pad  10 . A solenoid  8  presses the pressure pad  10  against the cylinder  100  and moves the pressure pad  10  away from the cylinder  100 . The cleaning fabric  4  is engaged with and moved away from the surface of the cylinder  100  by the forward and backward movement of the pressure pad  10 . 
     The pressure pad  10  is made of elastic material such as nitrile rubber. The pressure pad  10  includes thick portions  10   b,    10   c  at opposite edges thereof. Clamp bars  11 ,  12  include clamp grooved portions  11   a,    12   a  for mounting and fixing the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10 . A pressure portion  10   a  is formed in the pressure pad  10  mounted by the clamp bars  11 ,  12 . The pressure portion  10   a  is shaped to be generally semi-cylindrical. 
     The contact area between the cleaning fabric  4  and the cylinder  100  is dependent on the radius of the generally semi-cylindrical of the pressure portion  10   a . The contact area is small when the radius of the pressure portion  10   a  is small, while the contact area is large when the radius  10   a  is large. The radius of the pressure portion  10   a  must be predetermined appropriately. 
     Meanwhile, a space for installing the cylinder cleaning device  1  nearby the cylinder  100  is required to be small recently for downsizing the printing press and realizing high density. For example, the cylinder  100  which should be cleaned may be disposed behind the space between other cylinders  101 ,  102 . It is difficult to pass the cylinder cleaning device  1  including the pressure portion  10   a  having an appropriate radius through the space between the cylinders  101 ,  102  in the prior art. 
     Patent Document 1 (EP0936068A) discloses a prior structure for engaging the pressure pad with the clamp bars. Patent Document 2 (EP1000740A) discloses a more detail structure of the prior cylinder cleaning device  1  as shown in  FIG. 18 . Patent Document 3 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,297) discloses another structure for engaging the pressure pad with the clamp bars. In the cylinder cleaning device shown in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the engaging portion between the pressure pad and the clamp bars projects from the outer surface of the generally semi-cylindrical pressure portion. As a result, the pressure pad becomes too big to be installed in the small space. 
     Patent Document 4 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,669) discloses that the cylinder cleaning device can be used in a smaller space than the others. In the cylinder cleaning device, when the pressure portion of the pressure pad engages with the outer surface of the cylinder, a pulling and removing force acts on the pressure pad to pull and remove it. The structure for fixing the pressure pad cannot resist the pulling and removing force. 
     Patent Document 1: EP0936068A 
     Patent Document 2: EP1000740A 
     Patent Document 3: U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,297 
     Patent Document 4: U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,669 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a cylinder cleaning device which is suitable for downsizing the printing press and realizing high density. 
     Solution to the Problems 
     A cylinder cleaning device cleans a cylinder by pressing a cleaning fabric against the outer surface of the cylinder. The device comprises a pressure pad made of elastic material and including a pressure portion engaged with the back surface of the cleaning fabric and thick portions formed at the opposite edges of the pressure pad. The pressure portion is interposed between and formed integrally with the thick portions. The device comprises a support bar including grooved portions formed in the opposite sides thereof and extending longitudinally of the support bar. The thick portions are fitted into the grooved portions so that the pressure pad can be mounted on the support bar. The device comprises a side plate including engaged portions disposed on the opposite sides of the thick portions and engaged with the side surfaces thereof. The pressure pad and the support bar are nipped between and held by the engaged portions. 
     The device further comprises following elements. 
     The pressure pad is plate-shaped. The pressure portion is bent to be generally semi-cylindrical so that the thick portions oppose to each other to be fitted into the grooved portions when the pressure pad is mounted on the support bar. 
     The pressure portion is generally semi-cylindrical. The thick portions are opposed to each other to be fitted into the grooved portions. 
     The side plate include an opening on one side. The pressure pad and the support bar are received in the opening. 
     The pressure pad and the support bar are nipped between the engaged portions on opposite sides thereof. 
     The device can be comprised as follows. 
     The pressure pad includes a pressure portion, a pair of thick portions and a pair of connecting portions. The pressure portion is disposed on the center of the pressure pad. The thick portions are disposed on the opposite edges of the pressure pad. The connecting portions are interposed between the pressure portion and the thick portions. The connecting portions connect the pressure portion with the thick portions and being thinner than the thick portions. The pressure portion, the thick portions and the connecting portions being made of elastic material and formed integrally. 
     The support bar includes a base portion and a pair of grooved portions. The base portion extends longitudinally of the support bar. The grooved portions are formed in the opposite sides of the base portion to extend longitudinally of the support bar and having depths corresponding to the thicknesses of the thick portions and corresponding to the thicknesses of the connecting portions so that the thick portions and the connecting portions can be fitted into the grooved portions. The thick portions and the connecting portions include outer surfaces disposed to be flush with the opposite sides of the base portion when the thick portions and the connecting portions are fitted into the grooved portions. 
     The side plate includes engaged portions engaged with the opposite side surfaces of the base portion and the outer surfaces of the thick and connecting portions. 
     The thick portions project toward the grooved portions from the inner surface of the connecting portions. 
     EFFECT OF THE INVENTION 
     In the present invention, the thick portions of the pressure pad are fitted into the support bar. The thick portions and the support bar are nipped by the side plate on opposite sides thereof. The thick portions and the support bar are not projected respectively from the outer surface of the generally semi-cylindrical pressure pad. As a result, the present invention can provide the cylinder cleaning device which is suitable for downsizing the printing press and realizing high density. 
     When the pressure pad along with the cleaning fabric is pressed against the outer surface of the cylinder, the strong pulling and removing force acts on the pressure pad to pull and remove it. However, the pulling and removing force on the pressure pad disperses and acts on the side plate. As a result, the side plate can keep the pressure pad on the support bar rigidly even though it is thin. The side plate can have a minimum thickness to keep it. As a result, the present invention can provide the cylinder cleaning device which is more suitable for downsizing the printing press and realizing high density. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view illustrating the support bar. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the first embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the second embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the first embodiment of the side plate. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the second embodiment of the side plate. 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad, the support bar and the side plate. 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad, the support bar and the side plate. 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad, the support bar and the side plate. 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad, the support bar and the side plate. 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad, the support bar and the side plate. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad, the support bar and the side plate. 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view illustrating the third embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view illustrating the fourth embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view illustrating the fifth embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view illustrating the sixth embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view illustrating the seventh embodiment of the pressure pad. 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic view illustrating a prior cylinder cleaning device. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRY OUT THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. A cylinder cleaning device can clean a cylinder  100  with a cleaning fabric  4 . The device includes a pressure pad  10 . The pressure pad  10  includes a pressure portion  10   a  and thick portions  10   b,    10   c . The pressure portion  10   a  is interposed between the thick portions  10   b,    10   c.  The thick portions  10   b,    10   c  are disposed on the opposite edges of the pressure pad  10 . The pressure portion  10   a  and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  are formed integrally and made of elastic material. The pressure pad  10  includes the pressure portion  10   a,  a pair of thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and a pair of connecting portions  10   d,    10   e.  The pressure portion  10   a  is disposed on the center of the pressure pad  10 . The thick portions  10   b ,  10   c  are disposed on the opposite edges of the pressure pad  10  respectively. The connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  are interposed between the pressure portion  10   a  and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  respectively. The connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  connects the pressure portions  10   a  with the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  respectively. The connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  is thinner than the thick portions  10   b,    10   c.  The pressure portion  10   a,  the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  are made of elastic material and formed integrally. Supporting portions  10   f  are interposed between the pressure portion  10   a  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  respectively. The pressure portion  10   a,  the thick portions  10   b,    10   c,  the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  and the supporting portions  10   f  are made of elastic material and formed integrally. The pressure portion  10   a  and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  are connected by the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  and the supporting portions  10   f.  The supporting portions  10   f  are interposed between the pressure portion  10   a  and the thick portions  10   b ,  10   c.  The supporting portions  10   f  support the pressure portion  10   a  to the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  by the elastic force. 
     The device includes a support bar  40 . The support bar  40  has grooved portions  42 ,  43 . The grooved portions  42 ,  43  receive the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  which are fitted into the grooved portions  42 ,  43 . The device includes a side plate  50 . The side plate  50  is disposed on the opposite sides of thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  of the pressure pad  10 . The side plate  50  receives the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  of the pressure pad  10 , and the support bar  40 . The side plate  50  includes engaged portions disposed on the opposite sides of the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and engaged with the side surfaces thereof. The support bar  40  has opposite side surfaces  46 ,  47  parallel to each other. The opposite side surfaces  46 ,  47  are face-contacted with the inner side surface of the side plate  50 . 
     The device includes a solenoid  8 . The solenoid  8  has a piston rod  81 . The piston rod  81  is linked with the support bar  40 . The cleaning fabric  4  is interposed between the pressure pad  10  and the cylinder  100 . If the solenoid  8  is operated, the pressure pad  10  moves forward and backward to the cylinder  100 . As a result, the cleaning fabric  4  is pressed by the pressure portion  10   a  of the pressure pad  10  to wipe the surface of the cylinder  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pressure pad  10  is mounted on the support bar  40 . And then the pressure pad  10  and the support bar  40  are nipped by the engaged portions of the side plate  50  on opposite sides thereof. As a result, the pressure portion  10   a  of the pressure pad  10  is bent and shaped to be generally semi-cylindrical. The generally semi-cylindrical pressure pad  10  has an outer surface which is disposed inwardly of the outer surface of the side plate  50 . 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the support bar  40 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the grooved portions  42 ,  43  are formed to receive the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10 . The support bar  40  includes pressure pad shape holding walls  44 . The pressure pad shape holding walls  44  are disposed adjacent the grooved portions  42 ,  43  respectively. The pressure pad shape holding walls  44  are formed to receive the pressure pad  10  when the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  are fitted into the grooved portions  42 ,  43 . The support bar  40  includes a base portion  41 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer surface of the base portion  41  and the pressure pad  10  are flush with each other when the pressure pad  10  is mounted on the support bar  40 . Grooved portions for the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  are formed by the pressure pad shape holding walls  44 , and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  can be fitted into and mounted on the grooved portions  42 ,  43 ,  44 . The outer surfaces of the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e,  and the opposite side surfaces  46  of the base portion  41  are flush with each other when be fitted. 
     The connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  are nipped between the side plate  50  and the support bar  40 , and reaches the thick portions  10   b,    10   c.  The thickness of the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  may be even or may grow adjacent the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  but thinner than the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  as above stated. The supporting portions  10   f  are interposed between the pressure portion  10   a  and the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  not to be nipped between the side plate  50  and the support bar  40 . 
     The thick portions  10   a,    10   b  project from the inner surface of the connection portions  10   d,    10   e  to be fitted into the grooved portion  42 ,  43 . When the thickness of the connecting portions  10   d,    10   e  grows adjacent the thick portions  10   b,    10   c,  the thickness growing portions project from the inner surface of the other portions to fit the pressure pad shape holding walls  44 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pulling and removing force acts on the pressure pad  10  when the pressure pad  10  presses the cleaning fabric  4  against the cylinder  100 , by reason of the friction force between the cleaning fabric  4  and the cylinder  100  being large. The pulling and removing force on the pressure pad  10  acts to pull the pressure pad  10  from the support bar  40 . As a result, the pulling and removing force acts to spread the side plate  50  outwardly thereof. However, the pulling and removing force on the pressure pad  10  disperses on the support bar  40 . The side plate  50  has a strength not to pull the pressure pad  10  out of the support bar  40  when the pulling and removing force acts on the pressure pad  10 . The side plate  50  may be formed by a metal plate. 
     The support bar  40  includes a through-hole  45  which passes through the base portion  41 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the side plate  50  is generally U-shaped in cross-section and has an opening on one side. The side plate  50  can receive the pressure pad  10  along with the support bar  40 . The side plate  50  has holes (not shown) corresponding to the through-holes  45  of the support bar  40  in position when receiving the support bar  40 . The support bar  40 , the pressure pad  10  mounted on the support bar  40 , and the side plate  50  are fixed by a fixing bolt  60 . The base portion  41  of the support bar  40  or the side plate  50  includes means for connecting the piston rod  81  (not shown). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the first embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the pressure pad  10  is generally flat plated. The pressure pad  10  is totally made of elastic material such as rubber. The pressure pad  10  has the generally flat-shaped pressure portion  10   a  before being mounted on the support bar  40 . The pressure portion  10   a  becomes generally semi-cylindrical when the pressure pad  10  is mounted on the support bar  40 . Since the pressure pad  10  is bent and mounted on the support bar  40 , the pressure portion  10   a  can have a variety of radiuses according to the diameter of the support bar  40  advantageously. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the second embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the pressure pad  10  is generally semi-cylindrical. The pressure pad  10  has the generally semi-cylindrical pressure portion  10   a  before being mounted on the support bar  40 . The generally semi-cylindrical pressure portion  10   a  can be easily mounted on the support bar  40  advantageously. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the first embodiment of the side plate  50 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the side plate  50  is generally U-shaped in cross-section. The side plate  50  has the opening on the one side. The opening receives the support bar  40  and the pressure pad  10  mounted on the support bar  40 . The outer sides of the thick portions  10   b ,  10   c  of the pressure pad  10  and the base portion  41  of the support bar  40  are flush with each other. As a result, the side plate  50  can easily receive the support bar  40  along with the pressure pad  10 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the second embodiment of the side plate  50 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the side plate  50  comprises the first side plate  501  and the second side plate  502 . Since the first side plate  501  and the second side plate  502  are separated from each other, the support bar  40  can be designed without changing the side plate  50  advantageously. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base portion  41  of the support bar  40  is nipped by the side plate  50  on the opposite sides thereof. The thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  are nipped and fixed between the grooved portions  42 ,  43  of the support bar  40  and the side plate  50 . The side plate  50  nips the base portion  41  of the support bar  40  on the opposite sides thereof to be face-contacted with the base portion  41  and mounted thereof. The thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  are nipped and fixed between the grooved portions  42 ,  43  of the support bar  40  and the side plate  50 . 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10  are explanatory views illustrating the assembly process of the flat plate shaped pressure pad  10  shown in  FIG. 3 , the support bar  40  and the side plate  50 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  are explanatory views illustrating the assembly process of the pressure pad  10  and the support bar  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the thick portion  10   b  of the pressure pad  10  is fitted in the grooved portion  42  of the support bar  40 , and the thick portion  10   c  is fitted in the grooved portion  43 . The pressure pad  10  has the portions  10   g  which are the outer surfaces of the pressure pad  10  with which the side plate  50  is engaged. The portions  10   g  and the outer surfaces of the base portion  41  are flush with each other.  FIG. 9  is an explanatory view illustrating the assembly process of the side plate  50  and the support bar  40  along with the pressure pad  10 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the side plate  50  receives the support bar  40  along with the pressure pad  10 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are explanatory views illustrating the assembly process of the generally semi-cylindrical pressure pad  10  shown in  FIG. 4  and the support bar  40 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , when the pressure pad  10  is mounted on the support bar  40 , the supporting portions  10   f  and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  are spread. Therefore, the pressure pad  10  can be mounted easily and quickly.  FIG. 12  illustrates the support bar  40  along with the pressure pad  10 . The pressure pad  10  is kept to be combined with the support bar  40  if being generally semi-cylindrical. As a result, the side plate  50  can be mounted easily. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the side plate has holes  51 . The holes  51  is aligned with the through-hole  45  of the support bar  40  when the side plate  50  receives the support bar  40 . The fixing bolt  60  and a nut  61  nip and fix the side plate  50  and the support bar  40 . The fixing means for fixing the side plate  50  and the support bar  40  may comprise an adhesive material. However, since the pressure pad  10  must be, replaced sometimes, the detachable fixing means such as a set of the bolt  60  and the nut  61  is preferable. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the third embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  is generally circle-shaped in cross-section. As a result, it is advantageous that the pressure pad  10  can be mounted on the support bar  40  and the side plate  50  by using the elastic force of the pressure pad  10 . That is to say, the cylindrical thick portions  10   b,    10   c  of the pressure pad  10  should have the slightly larger diameter than the grooved portions  42 ,  43  of the support bar  40 . As a result, the thick portions  10   b ,  10   c  can be deformed elastically and engaged with the inner wall of the grooved portions  42 ,  43  when being mounted on the support bar  40  and fixed by the side plate  50 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates the fourth embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . The pressure pad  10  has a pipe  13  extending longitudinally thereof in the pressure portion  10   a  thereof. The pressure pad  10  has a plurality of nozzle holes  14  which are spaced at a distance. A cleaning liquid is supplied in the pipe  13  to be sprayed from the nozzle holes  14 . As a result, it is possible to supply the cleaning liquid toward the cleaning fabric engaged with the pressure portion  10   a.    
       FIG. 15  illustrates the fifth embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . The pressure pad  10  has the supporting portions  10   f  and the pressure portion  10   a  which have thicknesses different from each other. The pressure portion  10   a  is thicker than the supporting portions  10   f . That is to say, the pressure portion  10   a  is thicker than the pressure portion  10   a  and the thick potions  10   b,    10   c . Therefore, since it is difficult to deform the pressing portion  10   a  in comparison with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the pressure portion  10   a  can be engaged with the cylinder  100  hard. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the sixth embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . The pressure pad  10  has the supporting portions  10   f  and the pressure portion  10   a  which have thicknesses different from each other. The pressure portion  10   a  is thinner than the supporting portions  10   f . That is to say, the pressure portion  10   a  is thinner than the portion nipped by the support bar  40  and side plate  50 . The pressure portion  10   a  is thin to deform easily when engaging with the cylinder  100 . Therefore, in comparison with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the pressure portion  10   a  can be engaged with the cylinder  100  softly. 
     The thickness of the pressure portion  10   a  has a relation with the necessary time for cleaning by the cylinder cleaning device  1  and the amount of consumption of the cleaning fabric during cleaning. However, it is preferable to determine the most appropriate thickness by the experiments. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates the seventh embodiment of the pressure pad  10 . The pressure pad  10  includes the pressure portion  10   a  and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  which are formed integrally. The pressure pad  10  does not have to be made of single material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , the pressure pad  10  is made of two materials  10   h,    10   k . It is advantageous to select suitable materials for the pressure portion  10   a  and the thick portions  10   b,    10   c  respectively from two or more materials. For example, the material  10   h  of the portion including the pressure portion  10   a  can be made of soft material having low hardness, the material  10   k  of the portion including the supporting portions  10   f  can be made of hard material having high hardness. As a result, a soft press can be obtained without lowering the thickness of the pressure portion  10   a . The pressure pad  10  can be made of two materials which are superimposed on each other in the thickness direction, to achieve a certain property such as elasticity which cannot be provided by single material. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       1  cylinder cleaning device 
       4  cleaning fabric 
       8  solenoid 
       10  pressure pad 
       10   a  pressure portion 
       10   b,    10   c  thick portion 
       10   d,    10   e  connecting portion 
       10   f  supporting portion 
       13  pipe 
       14  nozzle 
       40  support bar 
       41  base portion 
       42 ,  43  grooved portion 
       44  pressure pad shape holding wall 
       50  side plate