Patent Abstract:
A device is provided for use in storing a blanket that is to be exchanged on a cylinder of a printing machine and which has a plurality of blankets on its periphery. The blanket to be exchanged is stored in a tray that includes at least one code reader which will detect a characteristic that was applied to the blanket for purposes of its identification. The detected characteristic is matched with a plan that is used to accomplish a planned printing process. If a discrepancy in the match is noted, a message, which warns of the presence of an incorrect blanket, is generated before that incorrect blanket is mounted on the cylinder.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is the U.S. National Phase, under 35 U.S.C. 371, of PCT/EP 2004/050162, filed Feb. 19, 2004; published as WO 2004/085153 A2 on Oct. 7, 2004, and claiming priority to DE 103 14 340.8 filed Mar. 28, 2003, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to devices for storing a dressing to be exchanged on a cylinder of printing press. Several dressings are to be arranged on the cylinder. A dressing to be exchanged is stored in a receiving arrangement that has at least one code reader. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A device for use in the automatic changing of printing formes on a cylinder of a printing press is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,807. Several printing formes are to be arranged on the cylinder. Printing formes, which are suspended from a transport system and which are intended to be supplied to a printing group, are removed at the printing group to which they are assigned and are placed into interim storage in a container after a code reader has read a code that is applied to each printing forme and has determined its assignment to the printing group. It is a limitation of this device that, by use of their code, the printing formes are only assigned to a specified printing group, but are not assigned to the place of their mounting on the cylinder. In the case of several printing formes, that are to be arranged on a cylinder, their mounting on the cylinder, in accordance with a movement plan provided for this cylinder, is not assured. 
   A device for assigning the mounting position of a printing forme on a rotary printing press is known from EP 1 002 646 A1. A printing forme, which is identified by its number of pages, is assigned to a mounting location on the rotary printing press by linkage with a removal scheme, and the mechanically determined mounting location is displayed. Thus, the mounting location cannot be taken from the coding applied to the printing plate. The contents of the display do not relate to a report indicating a possible wrong mounting. 
   A device for assigning dressings to be mounted on cylinders of a printing press is known from US 2002/0050216 A1. During the manual mounting of the dressings by an operator, the correct assignment of the dressings to their location on the cylinder takes place by reading the characteristics applied to the dressings. With this type of operation, it is not impossible to avoid errors, caused, for example, by mistakes. A report, indicating a possible wrong mounting, is not provided. 
   A method and a device for the automatic feeding of a printing plate to a plate cylinder, or for the removal of a printing plate from a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press, are known from DE 39 40 795 A1. The method for the automatic feeding of a printing plate to a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press, wherein inter alia the plate cylinder has structure for clamping and for bracing the printing plate, provides that the printing plate is placed into a storage chamber of a printing plate supply and removal device, that the plate cylinder is rotated into a plate feeding position, and that the printing plate is fed to a clamping device of the plate cylinder by operation of a number of transport rollers. The method for the automatic removal of a printing plate from a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press, wherein the plate cylinder inter alia has structure for unclamping and for releasing the printing plate, is distinguished in that the plate cylinder is rotated forward into a printing plate release position, that a clamping flap is opened for grasping a printing plate end, that the plate cylinder is rotated backward, and that the printing plate is conveyed by a number of transport rollers to a storage chamber of a printing plate supply or removal device. The device for executing the method has at least one transport roller configured as a drive roller, and one transport roller configured as a contact pressure roller, and wherein the contact pressure roller can be placed against the drive roller. In addition, various actuating devices, a pivotably seated contact pressure roller for pressing the printing plate against the plate cylinder, as well as ejection fingers, can be provided. The ejection fingers can have tips which are arranged so that they can swivel into the periphery of the plate cylinder. The storage chamber of the printing plate supply and removal device can also be seated so that it is pivotable around a joint. 
   DE 39 40 796 A1 describes an arrangement for automatically changing a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press, The plate cylinder has, inter alia, devices for clamping and for bracing a printing plate. The printing plate changing device has two storage chambers, so that a printing plate, released from the plate cylinder, can be conducted into one of the storage chamber by the use of transport rollers, while a printing plate stored in the other storage chamber can be conducted to a clamping device of the plate cylinder also by use of transport rollers. 
   EP 1 084 839 A1 describes a device for holding and for conveying a printing forme. In this case, the device has translatory conveying arrangements, which convey a printing forme to be mounted on a forme cylinder, or which convey a printing forme to be removed from the plate cylinder. For changing a printing forme, the device is tilted around an axis of rotation from a position of rest into its operating position. A hook is pivoted, merely by its inherent weight, into the space where the printing forme is stored and protects the printing forme at its trailing beveled end from unintentionally falling out of this space. 
   A device for the automatic feeding of a printing plate to a forme cylinder of a printing press, or for removing a printing plate from a forme cylinder, is known from EP 0 214 549 B1. The printing plate to be fed to the forme cylinder is fed to the forme cylinder while remaining in a desired position by the use of lateral positioning elements. The feeding of the printing plate takes place from a substantially horizontal storage position. 
   A device for automatically exchanging printing plates is known from EP 0 100 779 A1. Several plates to be mounted are suspended in a plate storage device on a clamping rod which is arranged below the plate cylinder and are lifted to the plate cylinder on the clamping rod. 
   A device for automatically changing printing plates is known from WO 03/04863 A1. Several printing formes are stored in a magazine, and a changing of a printing forme with a forme cylinder takes place only when the magazine is brought into a slanted position. 
   A device for the automatic feeding of printing formes to a forme cylinder is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,848. Printing formes without beveled ends are stored in a stack inclined in the feeding direction, and are sequentially fed, driven by rollers, to the forme cylinder via a conveyor belt arranged in front of the stack. The lowest printing forme is pulled from the stack, at its front end, by a suction device. This device, which is very long, is not suitable for printing formes with beveled ends. Furthermore, when pulling out the printing formes which are stacked directly on top of each other, there is the danger of damaging their sides which are provided with the print image. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is directed to providing devices for storing a dressing to be exchanged on a cylinder of a printing press. 
   This object is attained in accordance with the present invention by the provision of a device for storing a dressing which is to be exchanged on a cylinder of a printing press on which several dressings are arranged. The dressing to be exchanged is stored in a receiving arrangement which has at least one code reader. That code reader can read or detect a characteristic applied to the dressing for its identification. 
   The advantage which can be realized by the present invention consists, in particular, in that it is possible to change several dressings on a cylinder of a printing press rapidly and dependably at the same time, or at least in very rapid succession. By the actuation of a holding element, the dressing falls from a vertically upper storage position into a storage position located thereunder, from which lower storage position the dressing can be transported to the cylinder. By actuating the holding element, the stored dressing changes in free fall from its vertically upper storage position into the storage position located underneath. The actuation of the holding element preferably takes place by use of a controlled drive mechanism and can therefore be mechanically performed. In the course of changing the storage position of a dressing stored in the magazine, the dressing, whose storage position is to be changed, remains in the magazine during the changing operation, wherein the change can be triggered by a controllable machine element of the magazine. 
   A dressing, whose storage position is to be changed, is not exposed to the danger of its surface being damaged during the change. The device in accordance with the present invention is also particularly suitable for dressings which are flexionally elastic, in length, and which have suspension legs that are beveled at their ends. Moreover, the structural height of the device is extremely low, so that it does not hamper any required access to the printing unit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. 
     Shown are in: 
       FIG. 1 , a perspective representation of a dressing, in 
       FIG. 2 , a simplified cross-sectional representation of a holding device for a dressing arranged on a cylinder, in 
       FIG. 3 , dressings which have been brought tangentially to a cylinder, and on which a radial force acts during their mounting, in 
       FIG. 4 , elastically pre-tensioned dressings in the course of being mounted on a cylinder, in 
       FIG. 5 , a four-cylinder printing press with a printing forme magazine, in 
       FIG. 6 , a device for changing a dressing on a forme cylinder of a printing press, in 
       FIG. 7 , a detailed view of guide rails for the lateral holding of a second printing forme in a chute, in 
       FIG. 8 , printing formes arranged next to each other in the axial direction of the forme cylinder in a chute, in 
       FIG. 9 , a suspension of a guide rail which can be moved in a chute, in 
       FIGS. 10 to 12 , further embodiments of the embodiment of the lower chute, in 
       FIGS. 13 to 35 , representations of a process sequence for changing printing formes on a forme cylinder, and in 
       FIG. 36 , a further preferred embodiment of a printing press with printing forme magazines. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A dressing  01 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , which, for example, is configured as a plate-shaped printing forme  01 , or as a support plate for a printing blanket, has a substantially rectangular area of a length L and a width B. The length L can have measured values between 400 mm and 1300 mm, for example, and the width B can have measured values between 280 mm and 1500 mm, for example. Preferred measured values for the length L lie, for example, between 360 mm and 600 mm, and preferred values for the width B lie, for example between 250 mm and 430 mm. The rectangular area has a bearing area, which will be called bearing area  02  in what follows, on which bearing area  02  the dressing  01  rests when it is arranged on the surface  07  of a cylinder  06 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . The reverse side of the bearing area  02  is a working area which, in case the dressing  01  is configured as a printing forme  01 , is provided with a print image, or at least can be provided with a print image. The dressing  01  has two oppositely located ends  03 ,  04 , each of which is preferably provided with beveled suspension legs  13 ,  14  these ends  03 ,  04  delimit the bearing area  02 , and each of the suspension legs  13 ,  14  preferably extends wholly, or at least partially, over the width B of the dressing  01 . The bearing area  02  of the dressing  01  is flexible, at least over the length L, and, when the dressing  01  is arranged on the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , bearing area  02  can be matched to the curvature of the latter as seen in  FIG. 2 . When the printing forme  01  is arranged on the cylinder surface  07 , the length L of the bearing area  2  then extends in the direction of the circumference of the cylinder  06 , while the width B of the bearing area  02  extends in the axial direction of the cylinder  06 . 
   As represented in  FIG. 2 , the suspension legs  13 ,  14  of the dressing  01  are fastened, by the use of a holding device. The holding device is arranged in a groove  08 . The groove  08 , as a rule, extends in the axial direction with respect to the cylinder  06 . An end  03  of the dressing  01 , which is aligned with the production direction P of the cylinder  06 , is called its leading end  03 , while the oppositely located end  04  is the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01 . At least the ends  03 ,  04  of the dressing  01 , along with suspension legs  13 ,  14 , which are formed thereon, are made of a rigid material, for example of a rigid metallic material, such as, for example, an aluminum alloy. Customarily, the material thickness D of the dressing  01 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or the material thickness D of at least the suspension legs  13 ,  14 , amounts to a few tenths of a millimeter, for example 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, and preferably to 0.3 mm. Thus, the dressing  01  as a whole, or at least its ends  03 ,  04 , consists of a dimensionally stable material, so that the ends  03 ,  04  can be permanently deformed by bending against a material-specific resistance. 
   A beveled suspension leg  13 ,  14  is, as discussed above formed at least on one end  03 ,  04  of the dressing shown in  FIG. 1 , but preferably are formed at both ends  03 ,  04 , along a bending edge  11 ,  12 . The suspension legs  13 ,  14  can be introduced into a narrow, and in particular, into a slit-shaped opening  09  of the groove  08  of the cylinder  06  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and can be fastened there by a holding device, for example by a clamping device. For example, in relation to the length L of the non-curved level bearing area  02  of the not yet mounted dressing  01 , a suspension leg  13  is beveled on its leading end  03 , at the bending edge  11 , at an opening angle α 1  or, on its trailing end  04 , a suspension leg  14  is beveled at the bending trailing edge  12  at an opening angle β 1 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , wherein the opening angles α 1 , β 1 , as a rule, lie between 30° and 140°. If the opening angle α 1  is assigned to the leading end  03  of the dressing  01 , it is preferably embodied as an acute angle and, in particular, is 45°. The opening angle β 1 , at the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01 , is often embodied to be larger than 80°, or as an obtuse angle, and, in particular, it is 85° or 135°. The beveled suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  has a length l 13  which, for example, lies in the range of between 4 mm to 30 mm, and in particular lies between 4 mm and 15 mm. The beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01  has a length l 14  which is 4 mm to 30 mm, for example, and in particular which is between 8 mm and 12 mm. The shorter length is more likely preferred in order to assure the easiest possible removal of the suspension legs  13 ,  14  from the opening  09  of the groove  08 . 
     FIG. 2  shows, in a simplified cross-sectional view, a cylinder  06  with a surface  07  and with a groove  08 , which has a narrow, slit-like opening  09  directed toward the surface  07  and of a slit width S. The slit width S is less than 5 mm and preferably lies in the range between 1 mm to 3 mm. In the production direction P of the cylinder  06 , the opening  09  has a front edge  16  and a rear edge  17 . An acute opening angle α 2 , which lies between 30° and 50°, and which preferably is 45°, is formed between a wall  18  extending from the front edge  16  in the direction of the groove  08 , and an imagined tangent line T 09 , which rests on the opening  09  in the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 . Therefore, the beveled suspension leg  13 , at the leading end  03  of the dressing  01 , can be preferably suspended with a positive connection at this front edge  16  of the opening  09 , because the opening angle α 1  at the leading end  03  of the dressing  01  is preferably matched to the opening angle α 2 . The situation is the same at the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01 . An opening angle β 2 , which either lies between 80° and 95°, and is preferably 90°, or which lies between 120° and 150°, and which preferably is 135°, is formed between a wall  19  extending from the rear edge  17  in the direction of the groove  08  and an imagined tangent line T 09 , which rests on the opening  09  in the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 . Therefore, the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01  can be preferably suspended with a positive connection, at this rear edge  17  of the opening  09 , because the opening angle β 1  at the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01  is preferably matched to the opening angle β 2  at the groove rear edge wall  19 . 
   At least one, preferably pivotably seated, holding element  21 , and a, preferably pre-tensioned, spring element  22 , for example, are arranged in the groove  08 . The spring element  22  presses the holding element  21  against the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04 , for example, which suspended leg  14  is suspended from the rear edge  17  of the opening  09 , because of which pressure force, the suspension leg  14  is maintained at the trailing end  04  against the wall  19  extending from the rear edge  17  in the direction of the groove  08 . For use in releasing the pressure force exerted by the holding means  21 , an actuating element  23 , preferably a pneumatically actuable element  23 , is provided in the groove  08 , which actuating element  23 , when actuated, pivots the holding element  21  against the force of the spring element  22 . The holding device described by way of example therefore consists substantially of the holding element  21 , the spring element  22  and the actuating element  23 . 
   The cylinder  06  described above, by way of example, is preferably embodied in such a way that several, preferably identical dressings  01  can be arranged on its surface  07 . If the cylinder  06  is designed as a forme cylinder, it can be covered, for example, with six plate-shaped printing formes  01 , which are arranged side-by-side in its axial direction. More than one dressing  01  can be arranged on the cylinder  06 , in the direction of its circumference. It is therefore possible to provide, for example, two grooves  08 , each extending axially in respect to the cylinder  06 , under its surface  07 , which each have openings  09  extending axially in respect to the cylinder  06  for fastening dressings  01 . The openings  09  are arranged on the circumference of the cylinder  06 , for example offset by 180° with respect to each other, if two dressing  01  are to be arranged behind each other along its circumference. With this covering of the cylinder  06  with two dressings  01  arranged behind each other, the leading end  03  of the one dressing  01  is fastened in the one groove  08 , while the trailing end  04  of the same dressing  01  is fastened in the other groove  08 . This applies correspondingly to the one or to the remaining dressings  01  arranged on this cylinder  06 . If several dressings  01  are arranged side-by-side in the axial direction of the cylinder  06 , these can advantageously also be arranged offset with respect to each other. The offset can involve, for example, individual dressings  01 , or can involve groups of dressings  01 , each of which is arranged offset, for example by half of the length L of the dressing  01  which, offset however, requires that further grooves  08  with associated openings  09 , or at least that partial elements of the same, are cut into the cylinder  06 , which openings are arranged along the circumference of the cylinder  06  offset by 90°, for example, in relation to the previously mentioned grooves  08  and openings  09 . 
   The method for mounting of a flexible dressing  01  on a cylinder  06  of a printing press will be described, by way of example, in what follows, wherein two dressings  01  can be arranged one behind the other along the circumference of the cylinder  06 , and wherein each dressing  01  has, related to the production direction P of the cylinder  06 , a leading end  03  and a trailing end  04  as shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . A suspension leg  13  is formed at the leading end  03  of the dressing  01 , and wherein this leading end suspension leg  13  is beveled at an opening angle α 1  of maximally 90°, and preferably of 45°, with respect to the linear length L of the dressing  01 . At least one, preferably slit-shaped opening  09  with, viewed in the production direction P of the cylinder  01 , a first leading edge  16  and a second, trailing edge  17 , is provided in the cylinder  06 . The edges  16 ,  17  preferably extend parallel, in respect to each other, in the axial direction of the cylinder  06 . The leading end  03  of the dressing  01  is brought to the cylinder  06 , preferably tangentially with respect to the cylinder&#39;s production direction P, for example by the use of a thrusting force acting on the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01 , the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of dressing  01  is thus located behind the second edge  17  of the opening  09  on the cylinder  06 , so that, in the course of a rotation of the cylinder  06  in its production direction P, the suspension leg  13 , formed on the leading end  03  of dressing  01  engages the opening  09  as a result of a radial force FR, which acts at least on the leading end  03  and which force FR is directed toward the cylinder  06 . Suspension leg  13  is thus hooked on the first edge  16 . In the case where the dressing  01  rests, supported by its suspension leg  13  formed on its leading end  03 , on the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , the radial force FR can be, for example, the gravitational force FG of the dressing acting on the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 . 
   In addition to using the gravitational force FG of the dressing  01 , or alternatively thereto, the leading end  03  of the dressing  01  can be elastically pre-stressed, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , so that the suspension leg  13  formed on the leading end  03  springs into the opening  09  as a result of a restoring moment MR directed to the cylinder  06  as soon as the opening  09  of the cylinder  06 , and a contact line  27  of the suspension leg  13  with the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , are located directly opposite each other because of a relative movement between the dressing  01  and the cylinder  06 . This relative movement occurs, in particular, because of the rotation of the cylinder  06  in the production direction P. 
   The restoring moment MR results because the dressing  01  is made of an elastically deformable material and therefore inherently has an elastically resilient property. This property is used in such a way that, in the course of being brought to the cylinder  06 , the leading end  03  of the dressing  01  is conducted, for example, over an edge  26 , which preferably extends axially in respect to the cylinder  06  and which edge  26  is arranged, spaced apart from the cylinder  06 , on a support element  24 . Dressing  01  is bent at edge  26  in such a way that a bending stress with a spring force, as seen in the representation of the dressing  01  in dashed lines in  FIG. 4 , which is directed toward the cylinder  06 , is built up at the leading edge  03  of the dressing  01 . At least until the leading end  03  of the dressing  01 , which is conducted over the edge  26  of the support element  24 , rests on the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , the trailing end  04  of dressing  01  is fed in from a spatial direction, which is fixed, toward the cylinder  06 . Accordingly, the dressing  01  is stabilized during the mounting process by the contact line  27  of its suspension leg  13 , attached to the leading end  03 , with the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , as well as by its support on the edge  26  of the support element  24 , and is also stabilized by a positional fixation device  28  of the trailing end  04 . The support element  24  can be embodied, for example, as a roller element  24 , in particular as a roller  24 , or as one, or as several rollers  24 , which are arranged axially side-by-side, with respect to the cylinder  06 , which can be placed against the cylinder  06 , for example, and which function in the manner of a contact pressure element  24 . The support element  24  is preferably arranged close to the cylinder  06 . 
   The leading end  03  of the dressing  01  can also be brought against the cylinder  06  in such a way that, following its contact with the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , this leading end  03  faces away from the surface  07  of the cylinder  06  at an acute angle γ of an imagined second tangent line T 29 , which rests on a contact point  29  on the surface  07  of the cylinder  06  and shown as a representation of the dressing  01  in solid lines in  FIG. 4 . However, the bending of the leading end  03  of the dressing  01  should only be so large that the suspension leg  13  arranged there still rests dependably against the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 . To assist the dependable resting of the suspension leg  13  against the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 , it is possible, for example, to bring the support element  24  into contact with the dressing  01 , so that the leading end  03  of the dressing  01  is maintained close to the surface  07  of the cylinder  06 . 
   In the course of relative movement between the cylinder  06  and the dressing  01 , preferably in the course of the rotation of the cylinder  06  in its production direction P, but also in the course of a suitable movement of the dressing  01  as well, for example movement of the dressing  01  counter to the production direction P of the cylinder  06 , the suspension leg  13  is hooked at the first edge  16  of the opening  09  on the leading end  03  of the dressing  01 . A roller element  24 , which may be the support element  24  and which is placed against the cylinder  06 , can then aid the mounting of the dressing  01  on the cylinder  06  since the roller element  24  rolls the dressing  01  up on the cylinder  06 . The suspension leg  14  is embodied on the trailing end  04  of the dressing  01  wherein, in the course of rolling the dressing  01  up on the cylinder  06 , this trailing suspension leg  04  is pushed into the opening  09  of the cylinder  06  by the roller element  24 . 
   A device for executing the above described method will now be explained by the utilization of the example of a web-fed offset printing press with, for example, a vertical rubber-against-rubber printing group of four-cylinder construction and with, for example, the horizontal guidance of a material  46  to be imprinted, and preferably a paper web  46 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . In this example, a first pair of cylinders  31 ,  32 , which roll off on each other and which are arranged underneath the paper web  46  consist of a forme cylinder  31  and a rubber blanket cylinder  32 . A second pair of cylinders  33 ,  34 , which roll off on each other and which are arranged above the paper web  46  consist of a forme cylinder  33  and a rubber blanket cylinder  34 . The two cylinder pairs are provided in the printing group, and the paper web  46  is conducted between the two rubber blanket cylinders  32 ,  34 , which have been placed against each other. Preferably several, and, for example, five or six print locations for different colored ink are provided in the printing press. In what follows, it is assumed, for the sake of simplicity and without limiting the invention, that at least the forme cylinders  31 ,  33  are identical in type and in their dimensions. 
   The forme cylinder  31  is covered, about its circumference, with two printing formes  36 , and the forme cylinder  33  is covered, or at least can be covered, in the same way with two printing formes  37 , wherein the printing formes  36 ,  37  each have a length L corresponding, for example, to half the circumference of the forme cylinders  31 ,  33 . The width of the printing formes  36 ,  37  depends, inter alia, on how many printing formes  36 ,  37  are to be arranged in the axial direction of the respective forme cylinders  31 ,  33 . Thus, up to six printing formes  36 ,  37 , for example, can be arranged side-by-side in the axial direction of the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . The forme cylinders  31 ,  33  are preferably embodied to be of double width and double circumference, while, for example, printing blankets, which are arranged on the rubber blanket cylinders  32 ,  34 , are supported over the entire circumference of the rubber blanket cylinders  32 ,  34 . 
   As already discussed, and as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the printing formes  36 ,  37  each have beveled suspension legs  13 ,  14  on their front and rear ends, respectively in respect to the length L, with which suspension legs  13 ,  14  the printing formes  36 ,  37  are fastened to the respective forme cylinders  31 ,  33  because the suspension legs  13 ,  14  are introduced into one of the slit-shaped openings  09 , which openings  09  have been cut into the surface of the forme cylinders  31 ,  33  and which extend in the axial direction in relation to the forme cylinders  31 ,  33 . These beveled suspension legs  13 ,  14  are possibly held in openings  09  by a holding device arranged in the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , preferably in a groove  08 . The opening angle α 1  between the beveled suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of each printing forme  36 ,  37  and the linear length L of the printing forme  36 ,  37  is preferably 45°. At the trailing end  04  of each printing forme  36 ,  37 , the opening angle β 1  between the beveled suspension leg  14  and the linear length L of the printing forme  36 ,  37  is preferably 90°. The slit width S of the openings  09  cut into the forme cylinders  31 ,  33  preferably is from 1 mm to 5 mm, and in particular is 3 mm. 
   For changing one or several of the printing formes  36 ,  37  placed on the forme cylinders  31 ,  33 , a first printing forme magazine  38 , which is arranged underneath the paper web  46 , is, for example, provided for the forme cylinder  31 , and a second printing forme magazine  39  is provided for the forme cylinder  33  and which is arranged above the paper web  46 . Each such printing forme magazine  38 ,  39  has a receiving arrangement  41 ,  42 , for example a chute  41 ,  42 , for receiving at least one used printing forme  36 ,  37  to be removed from the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , and also has a receiving arrangement  43 ,  44 , for example a chute  43 ,  44 , for receiving a fresh printing forme  36 ,  37  to be mounted on the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . Each such receiving arrangement  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  or chute preferably has several storing or storage positions, respectively for used printing formes  36 ,  37  to be removed and also has several storage positions for fresh printing formes  36 ,  37  to be mounted. While the printing forme magazine  38 ,  39 , which is assigned to the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , for example, is placed, for example, against its respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33  for changing a printing forme  36 ,  37 , the first forme cylinder  31  and the second forme cylinder  32 , for example, are moved out of contact with their respective rubber blanket cylinder  32 ,  34  with which they are operatively connected. Alternatively, or additionally to the out-of-contact forme cylinders  31 ,  33 , the rubber blanket cylinders  32 ,  34  can also be taken out of contact with the paper web  46 . In this way, the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33  is uncoupled from the paper web  46  during the change of one or of several printing formes  36 ,  37 , while the other pair of cylinders  32 ,  34  can remain in production in the printing group. 
   The chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44 , for receiving at least one used or one fresh printing forme  36 ,  37  are advantageously arranged in the respective first or second printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  substantially parallel with each other. They are preferably arranged on top of each other in a layered construction. In this case a separating wall  47 , for example, in each of the respective printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  can separate the chutes  41  and  43 , or  42  and  44 , from each other, as may be seen in  FIG. 5 . Each of the chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44 , has at least two storage positions for the printing formes  36 ,  37  to be stored in them. In order to make easy access to chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44  possible, even when the paper web  46  is running, such access being needed, for example, for removing a used printing forme  36 ,  37  from the chutes  41 ,  42 , or for making a fresh printing forme  36 ,  37  available in the chutes  43 ,  44 , these chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44 , are accessible from a side of each chute which is facing away from the forme cylinder  33 , or from a side of each one of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  which side extends parallel with the running direction of the paper web  46 . Each of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  preferably extends over the width of the barrels of the forme cylinders  31 ,  33 , but, extends at least over the width B of the printing forme  36 ,  37 , and these magazines  38 ,  39  are capable of receiving a printing forme  36 ,  37 , preferably completely, i.e. in accordance with their length L, in their respective chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44 . The chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44 , are placed into the magazines  38 ,  39 , for example, wherein each magazine  38 ,  39  has an opening o 38 , o 39 , and wherein each of the openings o 38 , o 39  can be aligned parallel with the barrel of the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . A printing forme  36 ,  37  can be fed via the respective openings o 38 , o 39  to the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , or can be introduced from the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33  into the chute  41 ,  43 . For this purpose, the openings o 38 , o 39  of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  are moved toward the forme cylinders  31 ,  33  at a clearly reduced distance a 38 , a 39  in relation to an opening  09  in the forme cylinders  31 ,  33 , which distance a 38 , a 39  is less than the length L of the printing forms  36 ,  37 . Advantageously, the distances a 38 , a 39  have between minimally 2% and maximally 50% of the length L of the printing formes  36 ,  37 . In particular, short distances a 38 , a 39  of up to 10% of the length L are preferred. It is advantageous to arrange at least the printing forme magazine  39 , which is arranged above the paper web  46 , to be movable, so that this printing forme magazine  39  can be brought into or can be pivoted into a working position against the forme cylinder  33  from a position of rest which is arranged preferably above the printing group. An improved accessibility to the printing group results from this movable arrangement of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39 . This improved accessibility is beneficial, for example, for performing work required by the printing group, for example maintenance work. Preferably, in both the working position and the storage position, of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39 , but in at least the storage positions of the printing formes  36 ,  37 , the chutes  41 ,  43 , or  42 ,  44  are preferably arranged to be horizontal, or with a slight inclination, preferably of less than 15° in relation to the horizontal line H. The openings o 38 , o 39  of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  preferably point towards one of the openings  09  in the respective forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , with which the respective printing forme magazine  38 ,  39  works. 
   A movably arranged printing forme magazine  38 ,  39  can be fixed in place in its work position in front of a forme cylinder  31 ,  33  at a distance a 38 , a 39  and in alignment with the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , by the use of an arresting device or stop  48  as seen in  FIG. 5 . The arresting device or stop  48  can be formed, for example, by a conical bolt which is fixed in place, for example in respect to the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , which bolt  48  engages an opening in the housing of the printing forme magazine  38 ,  39 , and which centers the openings a 38 , a 39  of a printing forme magazine  38 ,  39 , for example pivoted against the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , with respect to the barrel of the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . It is advantageous to bring each forme cylinder  31 ,  33  into a predetermined position, in accordance with the side register, and to zero it in, for example with respect to the side register, before an exchange of a printing forme  36 ,  37  takes place between the forme cylinder  31 ,  33  and the printing forme magazine  38 ,  39 . As an alternative to the setting of the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , the printing forme magazine  38 ,  39  can also be brought into a predetermined lateral position, in relation to the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , so that a correctly aimed exchange of a printing forme  36 ,  37  between the printing forme magazine  38 ,  39  and the forme cylinder  31 ,  33  can take place without lateral offset. 
   It is advantageous to arrange a hingedly seated, preferably pivotable guide plate  49 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , near the forme cylinder  33  and in front of the opening of the printing forme magazine  39 , which guide plate  49  can be directed toward the forme cylinder  33 , and by the use of which guide plate  49 , a trailing end  04  of a printing forme  37 , which has been released from an opening  09  in the forme cylinder  33 , is conducted, correctly aimed, to the chute  42  which is used for receiving the printing forme  37  to be removed. In particular, an erroneous access of a printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33 , to the chute  44 , in which at least one fresh printing forme  37  is made available, or in which such a fresh forme  37  can be made available, is blocked by the guide plate  49 . The application of a guide plate  49  at the printing forme magazine  38  which is arranged underneath the paper web  46 , and which works together with the forme cylinder  31 , can also be advantageous. For reasons of clarity such a lower guide plate  49  is not specifically represented in  FIG. 5 . 
   A further preferred embodiment of a printing press with printing forme magazines results in connection with a printing press, for example in connection with a multi-color offset printing press, whose printing groups are preferably arranged on top of each other in a bridge construction, or in a compact figure-eight construction, in at least one frame  97  on a base  96 , i.e. a printing press of low structural height with eight print positions, such as is shown, by way of example, in  FIG. 36 . The material  46  to be imprinted, preferably a paper web  46 , is fed to the printing press and is conducted vertically through the printing groups. Four printing groups, which are arranged above each other, in the transport direction of the paper web  46 , are represented, by way of example, in  FIG. 36 , which printing groups each have respectively a transfer cylinder  32 ,  34  with a forme cylinder  31 ,  33  to the right and to the left of the paper web  46 , and wherein the transfer cylinders  32 ,  34 , which are oppositely located at the paper web  46  in a printing group, roll off on each other. The paper web  46  is brought to the first printing group, for example by a first paper guide roller  92  that is arranged ahead of the first printing group, and the paper web  46  conducted away from the fourth printing group by a second paper guide roller  93  that is arranged downstream of the fourth printing group. At least one conventional inking system  94 , whose details will not be discussed here in detail, is assigned to each forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . A printing forme magazine  38 ,  39  is assigned to each forme cylinder  31 ,  33 , each of which magazines preferably has two chutes  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 . In the same way as was discussed in connection with the preferred embodiment described above in connection with  FIG. 5 , in the working position, each printing forme magazine  38 ,  39 , at least its storage position for a printing forme  36 ,  37  to be stored, is here also aligned, preferably substantially horizontally, or with only a slight inclination of less the 15°, with respect to the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . In the working position of the printing forme magazine  38 ,  39 , at least one printing forme  36 ,  37  can be exchanged between the chutes  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  and the forme cylinder  31 ,  33 . Either a printing forme  36 ,  37 , which is no longer needed for executing a printing job, is removed from the forme cylinder  31 ,  33  and is inserted into the chute  41 ,  42 , or a fresh printing forme  36 ,  37  is taken out of the chute  43 ,  44  and is mounted on the cylinder  31 ,  33  for executing the printing job. In this preferred embodiment, the structural characteristics of the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  can correspond to those in the preferred embodiment previously described in connection with  FIG. 5 . It is advantageous if the operation, and in particular if the execution of a printing forme change, is monitored by sensors. Simultaneously, the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39 , together with the forme cylinders  31 ,  33 , can be controlled in such a way that a printing forme change can be selectively initiated, preferably from a control console that is assigned to the printing press. Because the printing forme magazines  38 ,  39  can be prepared for a printing forme change during the running production of the printing press, a set-up time, requiring a downtime of the printing press for a printing forme change, is reduced to an extremely short period of time of, for example, less than two minutes, and preferably of less than ninety seconds, for a complete change of all of the printing formes  36 ,  37  of the printing groups arranged in this printing press. Depending on the configuration of the printing groups, ninety-six printing formes  36 ,  37  can be simultaneously employed in the described printing press, for example. Such a rapid printing forme change, even with an increased number of printing formes  36 ,  37 , considerably increases the efficiency of the printing press because of the resulting extremely short downtime. 
   Further details regarding a method and a device for executing the method in accordance with the present invention will now be explained, by way of example, by referring to  FIGS. 6 to 35 .  FIG. 6  shows a forme cylinder  33  with two grooves  08 , that are offset by 180° along the cylinder circumference, and two printing formes  37  arranged one behind the other along the cylinder circumference. The trailing end suspension leg  14 , which is beveled at right angles, is maintained at the forme or dressing trailing end  04 , viewed in the production direction P of the forme cylinder  33 , of each printing forme  37  by a holding device  21 , which is arranged in a groove  08  and which is charged with pressure by a spring element  22 , on a wall  19 . The wall  19  extends from a rear edge  17  of an opening  09 , which opens the groove  08 , toward the groove  08 , wherein the holding device  21  can be released by actuating a pneumatic actuating element  23 , which acts opposite the spring element  22 . At the wall  18 , extending from the front edge  16  of the same opening  09  to the groove  08 , the suspension leg  13 , which is beveled at an acute angle, is placed, with positive contact, against the leading end  03  of the other printing forme  37 , which is arranged along the circumference of the forme cylinder  33 . For details of the holding of the printing forms, reference is made to  FIG. 2 . 
   Moreover,  FIG. 6  shows a contact pressure element  24 , in the form of a contact pressure cylinder  24  or a contact pressure roller  24 , which can be placed against the forme cylinder  33  by pneumatic activation. In the same way, an alignment device  51 , with two diametrically arranged, wing-shaped stops  52 ,  53  acting laterally on the printing forme  37 , is provided near the forme cylinder  33  and is pivotably seated parallel to the axial direction of the latter. By use of respectively one of its stops  52 ,  53 , the alignment device  51  temporarily fixes a printing forme  37  to be mounted in place, with respect to the side register, while it is brought to the forme cylinder  33 . In this case, the stops  52 ,  53  are each configured, for example, as lateral guide plates, wherein the stops  52 ,  53  are arranged, for example, on a pivotable cross bar, for example on a square tube. The stops  52 ,  53  differ, for example, in their position with respect to the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 , so that, for example, for a printing forme  37  of single width, the stop  52  is employed, and for a printing forme  37  in panorama format, the stop  53  is employed by an appropriate pivoting of the alignment device  51 . The stops  52 ,  53  can be adjusted axially with respect to the forme cylinder  33  for the required width of the printing forme  37 . 
   Further details of the printing forme magazine  39  can also be seen in  FIG. 6 . The preferred embodiment represented in  FIGS. 6 to 35  is based on a variation of the printing forme magazine  39 , wherein an upper chute  44 , for use in making available a printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 , can be operated as an autonomous structural unit independently of a lower chute  42 , for use in receiving a printing forme  37  removed from the forme cylinder  33 . Both chutes  42  and  44  can be used as individual structural units, which can be employed independently of each other and which are therefore autonomously functional. This application is of interest, for example, if only the feeding of the forme cylinder  33  with fresh printing formes  37  is to be automated, while the removal of used printing formes  37  is performed by an operator. If both chutes  42 ,  44  are embodied in the printing forme magazine  39 , a fully automatic printing forme changer results. Both chutes  42 ,  44  each have all of the devices required for storing and for conveying printing formes  37  and are preferably each very compactly constructed. In particular, both chutes  42 ,  44  have a low structural height in spite of their being capable of receiving at least two printing formes  37 . The structural height is, for example, less than 150 mm, and preferably is less than 100 mm. 
   In the preferred embodiment represented in  FIGS. 6 to 35 , the upper chute  44  is horizontally arranged and is aligned tangentially to the forme cylinder  33 . In this way, the gravitational force FG exerted on the printing forme  37  is used, in the best possible way, for aiding the functions described in what follows. A support  54 , such as a sliding rail or strip, on which the beveled suspension legs  13 ,  14  of a first printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33  can be set or placed, is located in the chute  44 . A printing forme  37  placed on the support  54  rests thereon, for example, with its entire linear length L. Preferably the support  54  is not embodied as a solid surface, but instead is constituted in the form of parallel strips  54  or sliding rails  54 . The suspension leg  14 , at the trailing end  04  of the first printing forme  37 , rests in the chute  44 , on the side of the chute  44  facing away from the forme cylinder  33 , against a stop  56 , which stop  56  preferably extends vertically. The stop  56  can be moved by a conveying device  57  linearly, and parallel with the support  54 , in the direction toward the opening o 39  of the printing forme magazine  39 , for the purpose of conveying this first printing forme  37  out of the chute  44  by the use of a translatory movement, and preferably maintaining forme  37  free of deformation, at least long enough so that the suspension leg  13  at the leading end of this first printing forme  37  can engage the slit-shaped opening  09  of the forme cylinder  33 . In this way, the stop  56  is used as the contact position for the first printing forme  37  in the chute  44 , and simultaneously also has the function of a pusher  56 . If this first printing form  37  has at least one register stamping at the suspension leg  14  on its trailing end  04 , the stop  56  can also be advantageously embodied, for example, as a register pin  56 , which extends perpendicularly with respect to the support  54  and which is connected with the conveying device  57 . During placing of the first printing forme  37  against the stop  56 , pre-registration of the first printing forme  37 , with respect to its side register, takes place. The conveying device  57  is embodied, for example, as a belt drive  57 , or as a linear drive mechanism  57 , is embodied preferably as a pneumatic linear drive mechanism  57 , and, in particular, is embodied as a linear drive mechanism  57  without a piston rod, which acts double-sided. 
   A holder  58 , and in particular a printing forme holder  58 , is also located in the chute  44 , for use in holding at least one second printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 . As represented in  FIG. 13 , the second printing forme  37  is held by the printing forme holder  58  above the support  54 , i.e. at a distance a 54  above the support  54 . The printing form holder  58  has, for example on the side facing away from the forme cylinder  33 , a piston  59  or a pusher  59 , which can be displaced parallel, with respect to the support  54 , and at whose end a holding element  61 , for example an L-shaped elbow  61 , is arranged. The second printing form  37  is accordingly clamped between the elbow  61  of the extended pusher  59  and a further holding element  62 , for example a rigidly arranged stop  62 , which is arranged in the area of the opening o 39  of the printing forme magazine  39 . In this case, the distance a 54  has a value which preferably lies between twice and four times the length l 14  of the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing form  37 . Clamping of the second printing forme  37  is provided because a free distance a 58  between the elbow  61  of the extended pusher  59  and the stop  62  is set to be shorter than the linear length L of the second printing forme  37 . Preferably, the stop  62 , in the area of the opening o 39  of the printing forme magazine  39 , has an inclined face  63 , on which the suspension leg  13  of the leading end  03  of the second printing forme  37  can be supported against. The inclined face  63  of the stop  62  and the L-shaped elbow  61 , on which the suspension leg  14  on the trailing end  04  of the second printing form  37  is supported, face each other. Since the second printing form  37  is flexible, in particular along its length L, it arches in the state where it is clamped between the elbow  61  and the stop  62 . The pusher  59  of the printing forme holder  58  is preferably movable parallel, with respect to the support  54 , and preferably has two stable operating positions, namely a first stable operating position in the retracted state, in which the second printing forme  37  is released, and a second stable operating position in the extended state, in a position clamping the second printing forme  37 . In a variation of the printing forme holder  58 , the arrangement of the movable pusher  59  and the rigid stop  62  have been interchanged with each other, so that the pusher  59  is located in the area of the opening o 39  of the printing forme magazine  39 , and the stop  62  is located on the side of the housing facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . Alternatively to the above described linear mobility, the elbow  61  of the stop  62  can also be arranged to be pivotable around a pivot axis that is aligned parallel with the width B of the printing forme  37 . A printing forme  37 , which is clamped between the elbow  61  and the stop  62 , is in its upper, or first storage position, while, in this state, a printing form  37 , which is deposited on the support  54 , takes on a lower, second storage position, wherein the printing forme  37  is temporarily stored in the second, storage position prior to its conveyance to the forme cylinder  33 . By the use of an actuating element, preferably by an actuation by remote control, for example from a control console, which is part of the printing press, the printing forme  37  changes, inside the chute  44 , from its upper, first storage position, into it lower, second storage position. Printing formes  37  stored in the first, storage position and in the second storage position, are spaced apart from each other, for example along their length L at the distance a 54 , so that they cannot touch each other and therefore cannot damage each other. 
   A further preferred embodiment of the printing forme holder  58  is depicted in  FIGS. 7-9  and advantageously permits a particularly low structural height of the chute  44 , provides for the second printing forme  37  to be maintained above the support  54 , which second printing forme  37  extends on a single plane in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33  in an upper storage position, by the use of at least one holding element  64 , wherein the holding element  64  is configured, for example, as a guide rail  64 , and preferably as two guide rails  64  extending parallel with each other. The guide rails  64  maintain the second printing forme  37  present in the chute  44  in the upper storage position on its two longitudinal sides over at least a portion of their length L. The embodiment of the printing forme holder  58  with guide rails  64  assumes that, by not extending as far as the longitudinal sides of the printing forme  37 , the suspension legs  13 ,  14  at the ends  03 ,  04  of the second printing forme  37  do not extend over the full length B of the printing forme  37 . Therefore, the longitudinal sides of the printing forme  37  provide a projection, in the area of the bearing area  02 , past the suspension legs  13 ,  14 . This projection is necessary for making the guidance of the printing forme  37  in the guide rails  64  possible. The holding element  64 , which, in particular, is each guide rail  64 , consists, for example, of a U-shaped bracket, which extends around each of the longitudinal sides of the printing forme  37  with a certain amount of play, and into which the second printing forme  37  can be inserted from the side facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . Thus, the second printing forme  37  is preferably supported by the guide rails  64 , along a narrow area of its side, wherein the holder acts, in particular, as a vertical support, and therefore the holder acts as a support against the gravitational force FG acting on the printing forme  37 . Preferably, the guide rails  64  are made of a dimensionally stable material, such as a metal or plastic material. 
   For depositing a second printing forme  37 , which is maintained in the guide rails  64 , on the support  54 , at least one of the guide rails  64  is movable in the direction of the width B of the second printing forme  37 . However, both guide rails  64  are preferably movable in opposite directions along the width B of the second printing forme  37 , so that they move away from each other, at least for a short period of time, and thereby increase their distance from each other, in such a way that they no longer support the longitudinal sides of the printing forme  37  vertically. The second printing forme  37  thus falls between the guide rails  64  onto the support  54  because of the gravitational force FG acting on it. If, in a first operational mode, the holding element  64  holds the second printing forme  37  in the upper storage position by an electrical or magnetic force, for example, the holding element  64  changes, preferably by remote control, from a first operational state into a second operational state. The second operational state causes the holding element  64  to release the printing forme  37  from the holding element  64 , so that, in the course of being released from the holding element  64 , the printing forme  37  changes, by free falling in the chute  44 , and therefore only because of the gravitational force FG acting on it, into the storage position which preferably is located directly vertically underneath the upper storage position. In the upper, as well as in the lower storage position, the second printing form  37  is held in the chute  44  with an inclination of less than 15°, and is preferably held horizontally. At least the longitudinal extension of the guide rails  64 , embodied as support bearings for the second printing forme  37 , have only this slight inclination, or preferably extend horizontally. 
   The release of the second printing forme  37  from the guide rails  64 , which act laterally on it, is preferably aided by a stop  67 , which stop  67  extends perpendicularly, in relation to the bearing area  02  of the second printing forme  37  and which stop  67  is preferably arranged rigidly in the chute  44 . Such a stop  67  is preferably arranged at both longitudinal sides of the second printing forme  37 , so that, in the course of a movement in opposite directions of the guide rails  64  which hold this printing forme  37 , which movement is directed along the width B of the second printing forme  37 , this second printing plate  37  remains in a stable position in the plane defined by the bearing area  02  because of the stops  67  arranged on both sides. The stops  67  push the printing forme  37  off the guide rails  64 , which guide rails  64  move away from each other, so that the printing forme  37  comes into contact with the stops  67 . The vertical support of the printing plate  37  is simultaneously removed by the movement of the guide rails  64 . The release of the second printing forme  37  is preferably performed by a drive mechanism  69 , for example, which is operated by remote control from a suitable control console, which control panel is a part of the printing press, wherein the drive mechanism  69  acts on the guide rails  64  and moves them along an actuating path s 68 . 
   If several printing formes  37  are to be arranged side-by-side in the axial direction on the forme cylinder  33 , and several printing formes  37  are arranged side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33  in the chute  44 , it is advantageous to arrange the guide rails  64 , which act on adjoining printing formes  37 , in the printing forme magazine  39  on two different levels above the support  54 , i.e. vertically offset in relation to each other, as shown in  FIG. 8 , wherein successive levels are preferably alternatingly offset in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 . By the offset arrangement of the levels, which constitute the first storage position of the printing formes  37 , it is possible to keep a distance a 67  between printing formes  37 , which are arranged side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 , and thus which are next to each other, as short as possible. The value of the distance a 67  preferably corresponds to a distance which printing formes  37  have, which printing formes  37  are arranged side-by-side on the forme cylinder  33  in the axial direction of the latter, i.e. adjoining printing formes  37 . Printing formes  37  which have been placed on the support  54  from levels which are arranged side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 , i.e. respectively from a first storage position, and which therefore have been brought into their second storage position, can be conducted, either individually or preferably together at the same time, to the forme cylinder  33  by the conveying device  57 . This latter method is advantageous for accomplishing a rapid change of printing formes  37  at the forme cylinder  33 . Printing formes  37 , stored in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33  in different side-by-side arranged levels, can be changed at the same time, or at least in rapid succession, into their respective second storage positions. Printing formes  37  fed simultaneously together to the forme cylinder  33  are arranged side-by-side on the forme cylinder  33  in its axial direction. 
   In the configuration represented in  FIG. 8 , four second printing formes  37  have been arranged, in their respective first storage positions, side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 . Each one of these printing formes  37  is maintained, at its respective longitudinal sides, in a guide rail  64 . Here, the vertical offset of the printing formes  37  is only a few millimeters, for example 4 mm to 6 mm, and approximately corresponds to the structural height of the guide rails  64 , and preferably to their single or double structural height. The movement of the guide rails  64  longitudinally in relation to the width B of the second printing forms  37  is accomplished, for example, by a linear displacement of the guide rails  64 . However, it can also be performed by a pivoting movement of the guide rails  64 , wherein the guide rails  64  are pivotable around a pivot axis and wherein the pivot axis extends parallel with respect to the side of the printing forme  37  that is supported by the guide rails  64 . For example, a guide rail  64  can be attached to at least one pivot arm  68  which, for example, is pivotable in a plane defined by the bearing area  02  of the second printing forme  37 , which plane is indicated by a directional arrow in  FIG. 9 . The pivot arm  68 , whose one end is connected with the guide rail  64 , and whose other end is preferably fixed in place in the chute  44 , can, for example, be configured as a spring element  68 , for example, as a leaf spring  68 , which acts laterally on the guide rail  64 . The guide rail  64 , which is connected with the pivot arm  68 , is moved by the drive mechanism  69 , which may be for example a controllable, and in particular a remotely controllable, magnet  69 , into an operational position in which it holds the second printing forme  37 , or into an operational position, wherein it is released from this printing forme  37 . The actuating path s 68  that is performed by a movable guide rail  64  longitudinally with respect to the width B of the second printing forme  37 , lies within the range of a few millimeters, for example between 2 mm and 10 mm, and preferably at 4 mm. A stop  67  is also preferably provided in this embodiment, into which the printing forme  37  comes into contact with its side supported by the guide rail  64 , while the guide rail  64  removes this support of the printing forme  37  by being moved. Two printing formes  37 , which adjoin each other in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 , can come into contact with opposite sides of the same stop  67 . In the course of changing from the upper storage position into the lower storage position, the printing forme  37  can also glide along the stop  67  with one of its sides directed vertically downward, so that the printing forme  37  released from its upper position reaches the lower storage position by a guided movement. In this case, with a printing forme  37  changing its storage position, the stop  67  fulfills the function of a lateral guidance, which lateral guidance preferably extends as far as the support  54 . 
   Expressed generally, a method for storing at least two dressings  01 ,  36 ,  37 , which are sequentially removed from the same cylinder  06 ,  31 ,  33  of a printing press, includes the following steps: a) a first dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37 , previously removed from a cylinder  06 ,  31 ,  33 , is conveyed from a first storage position into a second storage position, b) a second dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37  removed following the previously removed first dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37 , is stored in the first storage position initially occupied by the previously removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37 , c) the previously removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37  in its second storage position, and the subsequently removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37  in its first storage position of the previously removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37 , are stored at a distance, which is orthogonal along their length L, d) the dressings  01 ,  36 ,  37  are stored with their respective bearing areas  02  at least largely overlapping, preferably overlapping by 80%, or with their bearing areas  02  positioned for complete or almost complete overlap. The previously removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37 , and the subsequently removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37 , can now be stored vertically along their length L, or also spaced apart horizontally from each other. The previously removed dressing  01 ,  36 ,  37  is preferably conveyed into its second storage position by a linear movement, in particular by a linear movement which connects both storage positions immediately and directly with each other, orthogonally, in respect to its bearing area  02 , or also by a movement of its trailing end  04 , which will be explained in greater detail later. 
   It is advantageous, as depicted in  FIG. 6  to arrange a code reader  71 , in particular in the chute  44 , for example at the pusher  56 , for a first printing forme  37  resting on the support  54 , or also at the L-shaped elbow  61  for a second printing forme  37 , which code reader  71  reads a code, preferably applied to the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of each printing forme  37 . The code reader  71  thus detects a characteristic for identifying a printing forme in order to check, by a comparison, that preferably is electronically performed in a control unit, by the use of an allocation plan provided for the forme cylinder  33  and stored in the control unit, whether the printing formes  37  placed into the chute  44  correspond to the allocation plan of the intended printing process, and whether the printing formes  37  introduced into the chute  44  for intended allocation are present in the required order. In this way, it is possible, even prior to mounting the printing formes  37  on the forme cylinder  33 , to generate an appropriate report, such as, for example, an error report, or a report for warning the press operator of an erroneous mounting, and to feed the report to a control console, for example to a control console assigned to the printing press, and to display it there or at the printing group. 
   Preferably the coding can also be in the form of a code which can be read by humans, for example a bar code. Therefore, the code reader  71  is preferably arranged in the chute  44  at its end facing away from the forme cylinder  33 , wherein a reading direction of the code reader  71  is oriented either parallel with the length L of the printing forme  37 , or preferably is oriented parallel with the width B of the printing forme  37 . In a preferred embodiment, the code reader  71  is arranged, preferably movable by a linear guide, in or at the chute  44 . Alternatively, a movable mirror is provided, which movable mirror is preferably inclined by 45° in relation to the width B of the printing forme  37 , and which changes the direction of a detection or reading signal from a coding attached to the printing forme  37  to a code reader  71  arranged at the side of the chute  44 . Only a single code reader  71  is thus necessary for reading the codes applied to the printing formes  37  stored in the chutes  44 . By using only a single code reader  71  for several stored printing formes  37 , it is possible to save considerable costs. When employing only a single code reader  71 , the single code reader  71 , or the mirror, can be displaced either parallel with respect to the width B of the printing forme  37 , i.e. in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 , preferably along several chutes  44 , and/or can be displaced vertically in height along the printing formes  37  stacked in one of the chutes  44 , so that the code reader  71 , or the mirror, thus detects the coding on printing formes  37  stored in different storage positions. Either the code reader  71 , or at least one further sensor  91 , can be used for monitoring and/or for checking whether an intended printing forme change has been successfully performed. Errors, such as a double allocation, or an erroneous allocation, such as the mounting of the printing forme  37  at an inappropriate location, can then be avoided, or at least are detectable by the provision of a report which preferably is directed to the control console of the printing press, before extensive damage occurs. 
   A further or lower chute  42  is represented in  FIG. 6 , and which is used for receiving printing formes  37  removed from the forme cylinder  33 . This lower chute  42  has a support  72  which, for example, is inclined and which, the same as the support  54  in the upper chute  44 , is preferably embodied not as a solid surface, but in the form of parallel strips  72  or sliding rails  72 , for making available printing forms  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 , wherein the inclination of the support  72  widens the chute  42 , preferably on the side of the chute  42  facing away from the forme cylinder  33 , so that this chute  42  is easier to access by an operator on the side facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . This makes the removal of printing formes  37  stored in the chute  42  easier. The support  72  in the lower chute  42  can be inclined with respect to a horizontal line H by an inclination angle δ, wherein the inclination angle δ can lie between 5° and 15°, and preferably is approximately 7°. In the example represented in  FIG. 6 , the lower chute  42 , for use in receiving printing formes  37  removed from the forme cylinder  33 , is located below an upper chute  44  for making available printing formes  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 , which, although constituting a preferred arrangement, is not absolute required. The chutes  42 ,  44  can also be layered in the opposite sequence, or can be arranged separated from each other. 
   A preferred embodiment of the chute  42  provides that at least two printing formes  37  can be stored in the chute  42  side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 . This embodiment makes a particularly rapid removal of printing forms  37  possible, in particular if at least two printing formes  37  can be arranged on the forme cylinder  33  in its axial direction, because several printing formes  37  can be removed simultaneously from the forme cylinder  33 . If, for example, at least four printing formes  37  can be arranged on the forme cylinder  33  in its axial direction, it is advantageous, for reasons of stability, to arrange, for example, two chutes  42  side-by-side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 . Each storage space, defined by the width B of a printing forme  37 , in one of these chutes  42  is then configured in such a way that at least as many printing formes  37  can be arranged there, as printing formes  37  can be arranged on the circumference of the forme cylinder  33 . The storage of the printing formes  37 , at each storage space, takes place in a stack on top of each other. It can be provided that up to a maximum of ten, but at least a minimum of up to eight printing formes  37  can be stored in each one of the chutes  42 , so that printing formes  37 , which were removed from the forme cylinder  33 , can be collected in the chutes  42 , and the chutes  42  do not necessarily have to be emptied by the operator after each change of printing formes  37 . Regardless of the number of chutes  42  arranged side-by-side, the storage spaces have the same close spacing from each other in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33  as do the printing formes  37  arranged on the forme cylinder  33 . 
   On the side of the upper chute  44  facing the forme cylinder  33 , the upper chute  44  has a guide element  73  for receiving printing formes  37  which are removed from the forme cylinder  33  which guide element  73 , at least in the operational state, is arranged close to the surface  07  of the forme cylinder  33  and is embodied, for example, in the form of a guide plate  73 , a wedge  73  or a rolling element  73 , for example a roller  73 , and whose purpose it is to guide the trailing end  04  of a printing form  73 , which has been removed from the forme cylinder  33 , into the chute  42 . A distance a 73  of the guide element  73  from the forme cylinder  33  is preferably not much greater than the length l 14  of the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37 . The value a 73  of the guide element  73  lies, in particular, between the length and twice the length l 14  of the suspension leg  14 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . Since a printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  touches the guide element  73  with its printed image side, its contact with a rotatably seated rolling element  73  is easier on its surface than would be a sliding contact over a rigidly configured wedge  73 . This aspect is of particular importance if the printing forme  37  is to be used again, so that damage to its side used for receipt of the printed image, because of scratches or grinding tracks, should be prevented. A sensor  91  can be attached to the guide element  73  which checks, either in contact with the printing form  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33 , or preferably without contact, i.e. inductively, whether the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  has, in fact, been released following the actuation of the holding means  21  arranged in the groove  08  of the forme cylinder  33 . After performing its check, the sensor  91  sends a signal to, for example, the control console of the printing press. A decision is made, on the basis of the signal transmitted by the sensor  91 , whether the process of removing a printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  can be continued, or whether steps for clearing up an interference must be initiated. Several sensors  91  are preferably provided on the guide element  73  in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  33 . For example four or six sensors  91 , to provide one sensor  91  for each printing forme  37  can be arranged side-by-side on the forme cylinder  33  in its axial direction can be provided on guide element  73 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, after having passed the guide element  73 , the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  preferably is placed on a first ramp  74 , which ramp  74  is arranged in the lower chute  42  at a distance from the guide element  73 , before it reaches the support  72 . The first ramp  74  initially rises in the direction of the support  72 , and after a high point  76  descends again toward the support  72 . The first ramp  74  is preferably rigidly connected with the support  72 . Continuing the introduction of the printing forme  73  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  into the chute  42 , the printed forme  73  suspension leg  14 , at the trailing end  04 , arrives at a second ramp  77 , whose flank preferably descends abruptly steeply toward the support  72  after its high point  78 , i.e. on the side facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . In the direction in which the printing forme  37  is introduced into the lower chute  42 , a detent  79 , which the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the forme cylinder  33  contacts, is arranged at a short distance a 77 , as seen in  FIG. 14 , after the high point  78  and is rigidly connected with the second ramp  77 . The distance a 77  has a value of a few millimeters, and preferably has a value of less than the simple length l 14 , and in particular is less than half the length l 14  of the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37 . When the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  comes into contact with the stop  79 , it preferably extends behind the second ramp  77  because of the suspension leg  14  entering an intermediate space formed by the distance a 77 . The second ramp  77  and the stop  79 , which is connected with it, can be moved linearly and parallel with the support  72  by a conveying arrangement  81 , for conveying the printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  completely into the chute  42 . The conveying arrangement  81 , together with the steep flank at the second ramp  77  for the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37 , constitutes a moving device for conveying the printing forme  37  into the chute  42 . This conveying device is configured as a belt drive  81  or as a linear drive  81 , and preferably as a pneumatic linear drive, and in particular as a linear drive  81  acting double-sided without a piston rod. Both the first ramp  74 , as well as the second ramp  77 , are not made as full-sized planes, for example, but as several associated guide rails, which are arranged parallel like the teeth of a comb. The second ramp  77  can be formed, for example, of one or of several appropriately bent metal strips. 
   A lifting device  82 , and in particular a printing forme lifting device  82 , is arranged in the chute  42  on the side facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . The printing form lifting device  82  has, for example, a piston  83 , which can be shifted perpendicularly with respect to the support  72 , and at whose end a lifting arm  84 , which is configured to be either L-shaped, for example, or in particular U-shaped, is provided. The beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  is placed on the lifting arm  84 , or is placed so that it extends around it. Preferably, the printing forme lifting device  82  has two stable operating positions, namely a first stable operating position with the piston  83  retracted, in which the lifting arm  84  is located below the level defined by the support  72 , and a further or second stable operating position with the piston  83  extended, in which the lifting arm  84  lifts the printing forme  37  which was removed from the forme cylinder  33 , off the support  72 . In the lifting process, the printing forme lifting device  82  performs a lift s 82 , which is greater than the length l 14  of the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37 . Preferably, the lift s 82  has a value between the single and double lengths l 14  of the suspension leg  14 . In this way, the printing forme lifting device  82  lifts a printing forme  37  which had been removed from the forme cylinder  33 , from a temporary first storage position into a final second storage position. 
   A securing element  86 , which can be pivoted around a pivot axis extending substantially parallel with respect to the width B of the printing forme  37  and which has, for example, the shape of a strip-shaped flap  86 , and whose lower edge is at a distance a 86  from the lifting arm  84 , and wherein the distance a 86  preferably is less than the length l 14  of the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37 , is arranged above the printing forme lifting device  82 , and in particular is arranged above its lifting arm  84 . In  FIG. 6  a directional arrow indicates the pivotability of the securing element  86 . The securing element  86  secures a printing forme  37  lifted by the printing form lifting device  82  against inadvertent slipping in the chute  42 , or against removal from the chute  42 . Thus, an operator must first pivot the securing element  86  before the lifted printing forme  37  can be removed from the chute  42 . 
   A further preferred embodiment of components arranged in the chute  42  is represented in  FIGS. 10 to 12 . This preferred embodiment provides a stop  79 , which is preferably rigidly arranged in the central area of the support printing forme lifting device  82 , which is connected to a conveying arrangement  81  and which can be linearly moved along the support  72 , lifts the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of a printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  over the support  72 , and in its state where it is lifted by the printing forme lifting device  82 , pulls the printing forme  37  to the end of the chute  42  facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . The conveying arrangement  81  and the printing forme lifting device  82  can be forcibly connected in such a way that the printing forme lifting device  82  lifts the beveled suspension leg  14  of the printing forme  37  at a time at which the conveying arrangement  81  performs a movement in the direction facing away from the forme cylinder  33 . Moreover, a further printing forme lifting device  87  is provided between the stop  79  and the end of the chute  42  facing the forme cylinder  33 , which further lifting device  87  lifts the leading end  03  of a printing forme  37  which was removed from the forme cylinder  33  and which was inserted into the chute  42 , sufficiently far, so that a subsequent printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33 , can be inserted into the chute  42  between the support  72  and the lifted, previously removed printing forme  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
   Special methods for changing printing formes  37  on a forme cylinder  33  will now be explained by particular reference to  FIGS. 13 to 35 . It is assumed that initially two printing formes  37  are arranged in the upper chute  44  for making available fresh printing formes  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 , that two printing formes  37  are arranged along the circumference of the forme cylinder  37 , and that, for receiving printing formes  37  removed from the forme cylinder  33 , the lower chute  42  is empty, i.e. is free of printing formes  37 . 
   The forme cylinder  33  rotates so that the opening  09  of a groove  08 , in which the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  to be removed from the forme cylinder  33  is maintained by a holding device  21 , is moved into a first position which is located below the guide element  73 , which is a part of the upper chute  44 . The controllable, preferably pneumatically operable contact pressure element  24  is placed against the forme cylinder  33 , as seen in  FIG. 13 . 
   The actuating element  23 , which can preferably be operated pneumatically, pivots the holding device  21  against the force of a spring element  22 , so that the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  snaps out of the opening  09  because of its elastic inherent tension and contacts the guide element  73 . The contact pressure element  24 , which is now placed against the forme cylinder, secures the printing forme  37  against further release from the shell  07  of the forme cylinder  33 , as seen in  FIG. 14 . 
   The forme cylinder  33  rotates opposite its production direction P and, in the process, pushes the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  into the lower chute  42 . In the course of the insertion of the printing forme  37  into the chute  42 , the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of this printing forme  37  first slides along the guide element  73  and is then placed on the first ramp  74 , which is a part of the lower chute  42 . The suspension leg  14  slides upward on the ramp  74 , up to its high point  76 , and thereafter reaches the support  72 . While the contact pressure element  24  continues to be placed against the forme cylinder  33 , the printing forme  37  is further pushed into the lower chute  42  by the rotation of the forme cylinder  33  opposite its production direction P. In the course of this movement, the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  also moves over the second ramp  77 , which is connected with the conveying arrangement  81 , and contacts the stop  79  which is connected with the second ramp  77 , as depicted in  FIG. 15 . 
   The contact pressure element  24  is now removed from the forme cylinder  33 . Because of the push by the suspension leg  14  of the trailing end  04  against the stop  79 , the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of the printing forme  37 , which is preferably positively connected and which is suspended at the front edge  16  of the opening  09 , is released from the opening  09 . Now the printing forme  37  freely rests with its leading end  03  on the shell  07  of the forme cylinder  33 . From the release of the trailing leg  14  at the trailing end  04  until now, the forme cylinder  33  has performed less than half a revolution. The beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  has been hooked between the second ramp  77  and the stop  79 . Now the conveying device  81 , which is connected with the second ramp  77  and the stop  79 , can pull the printing forme  37  completely into the chute  42 . This can be seen by referring to  FIG. 16 . 
   The first printing forme  37  has now been removed from the forme cylinder  33  and is located with its length L in the chute  42 . Its suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  rests on the high point  78  of the second ramp  77 , while it leading end  03  rests on the high point  76  of the first ramp  74 , because of which at least the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  07  preferably hangs free. Therefore, the seating of the printing forme  37  in the lower chute  42  is preferably provided by a support of the first removed printing forme  37  at two points, namely at the high points  76 ,  78  of the two ramps  74 ,  77 , as is shown in  FIG. 17 . 
   The printing forme lifting device  82 , which can preferably be operated pneumatically, for example, lifts the trailing end  04  of the first removed printing forme  37  pulled into the chute  42  to shortly underneath the securing element  86 . The suspension leg  14  now stands on the lifting arm  84  connected with the printing forme lifting device  82 , as depicted in  FIG. 18 . 
   While a first printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33  rests, with its beveled suspension legs  13 ,  14  on the support  54 , in the upper chute  44 , the forme cylinder  33  continues to rotate opposite its production direction P into a second position. The opening  09 , from which the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of the printing forme  37  previously removed from the forme cylinder  33  was released, has now passed a contact point  88  of the contact pressure element  24  again placed against the forme cylinder  33 , and the rear edge  17  of the opening  09  which, in the production direction P of the forme cylinder, is at the rear, is at a distance a 88  from the contact point  88 . The distance a 88  lies in the range of a few millimeters, and preferably is less than 30 mm, and therefore corresponds to an arc length of less than a one-thirtieth part of the circumference of the forme cylinder  33 . As a rule, the first position of the forme cylinder  33  for removing a printing forme  37  arranged on it is not identical to the second position for receiving a fresh printing forme  37 . The contact force element  24  is preferably placed against the forme cylinder  33  while the opening  09  passes the contact point  88 , or after opening  09  has passed the contact point  88 . The alignment device  51 , which is arranged close to the forme cylinder  33  pivots with its previously preferably horizontally arranged stops  52 ,  53 , now rotated preferably by 90°, and now turned into a vertical position, so that a stop  52 ,  53 , which is matched to the width B of the printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 , dips into a transport plane, defined by the support  54  in the chute  44 , for the printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 . The printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33  is thus aligned with the forme cylinder  33  at the stop  52 ,  53  with the correct side registration while being transported out of the chute  44  all as seen in  FIG. 19 . 
   The suspension leg  14  on the trailing end  04  of the first printing forme  37  to be mounted on the cylinder  33  rests against a stop  56 , which stop  56  is connected with a conveying device  57 . The conveying device  57  is put into operation, so that the stop  56  conveys the first printing form  37  in a movement which is preferably directed tangentially to the forme cylinder  33 , and out of the chute  44 , until the leading end  03  of printing forme  37  touches the contact force element  24 , which was previously placed against the forme cylinder  33 , and the beveled suspension leg  13  on this leading end  03  now rests between the edge  17  of the opening  09 , which is in the rear in the production direction P of the forme cylinder  33 , and the contact point  88  of the contact force element  24 , as seen in  FIG. 20 . 
   The direction of rotation of the forme cylinder  33  is changed and it again begins to rotate in its production direction P, so that the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of the printing forme  37  being placed on the forme cylinder  33  slides into the opening  09  and is suspended, preferably positively connected, at the front edge  16  of the opening  09 . This position is shown in  FIG. 21 . 
   By continued rotation of the forme cylinder  33  in its production direction P, the printing forme  37 , whose suspension leg  13  is suspended in the opening  09 , is completely moved out of the chute  44  and is drawn onto the forme cylinder  33 . In the course of the draw-on process, the printing forme  37  is rolled onto the forme cylinder  33  by the contact force element  24 , which is placed against the forme cylinder  33 . After half a revolution of the forme cylinder  33  in its production direction P, the contact force element  24  now pushes the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  into the opening  09 . The holding element  21  in the groove  08  assigned to this opening  09  was previously released and is now brought into the operating position in which it fixes the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  introduced into the opening  09  in place, for example by clamping. The conveying device  57  now moves the stop  56 , which is connected with it, back into its end position on the side of the chute  44  facing away from the forme cylinder, as depicted in  FIG. 22 . 
   The contact pressure element  24  is again moved away from the forme cylinder  33 , and the diametrical stops  52 ,  53  of the alignment device  51  are preferably again pivoted into a horizontal position. A change of a first printing forme  37  on the forme cylinder  33  is now finished with accordance the above described method steps. A used printing forme  37  has been removed and a fresh printing forme  37  has been attached. This change of a printing forme  37  can be completely performed by the above-described device in a very short time, preferably in less than one minute. Then the forme cylinder  33  is again ready for production, as can be seen in  FIG. 23 . 
   The change of a further, second printing forme  37 , for example, which is also arranged along the circumference of the forme cylinder  33 , is started by an operator placing the second fresh printing forme  37  into the chute  44 , preferably still during the previous running production. The second fresh printing forme  37  was maintained above the support  54  in a controllable, preferably pneumatically controllable printing forme holder  58 , so that the second fresh printing forme  37  is clamped, for example either at its ends  03 ,  04 , between two stops  61 ,  62 , for which purpose at least one of the stops  61 ,  62  is movable, or wherein the second fresh printing forme  37  is inserted with its long sides into guide rails  64 , and wherein at least one of the guide rails  64  can be moved along the width B of the printing forme  37 . When the printing form holder  58  releases the printing forme  37  in that its elements holding the printing forme  37 , for example the stops  61 ,  62 , or the guide rails  64 , increase their distance from each other, for example a 58 , at least briefly, the printing forme  37  falls onto the support  54  and rests thereon with its suspension legs  13 ,  14 , as seen in  FIG. 24 . 
   For removing a further, for example a second, used printing forme  37  from the forme cylinder  33 , and corresponding to the method previously explained in connection with  FIG. 13 , the forme cylinder  33  rotates the opening  09  of the groove  08 , in which the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing forme  37  which is to be removed from the forme cylinder  33 , is held by a holding means  21 , into the first position, which is located below the guide element  73 , which is a part of the chute  44 . The controllable, preferably pneumatically operable contact pressure element  24  is now again placed against the forme cylinder  33 , as depicted in  FIG. 25 . 
   Corresponding to the method previously explained in connection with  FIG. 14 , the preferably pneumatically operable actuating element  23  pivots the holding device  21  against the force of a spring element  22 , whereupon the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing forme  37  to be removed snaps out of the opening  09  because of its elastic inherent tension and now contacts the guide element  73 . The contact pressure element  24 , placed against the forme cylinder, secures the second printing forme  37  against further release from the shell  07  of the forme cylinder  33 , as is shown in  FIG. 26 . 
   The forme cylinder  33  now continues to rotate opposite its production direction P and, in the process, pushes the trailing end  04  of the second used printing forme  37  into the chute  42 . In the course of the insertion of the printing forme  37  into the chute  42 , the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of this second used printing forme  37  first slides along the guide element  73  and is then placed on the first ramp  74 , which is a part of the chute  42 . The suspension leg  14  of the second used printing forme  37  slides upward on the ramp  74 , wherein it is pushed under the first used printing forme  37  resting in the chute  42 , which first used printing forme  37  rests on the high point  76  of the first ramp  74 , and lifts its leading end  03 , which projects past the high point  76  and is oriented toward the forme cylinder  03 , while the suspension leg  14  of the second printing forme  37  passes over the high point  76  of the first ramp  44  and thereafter reaches the support  72 . While the contact pressure element  24  continues to be placed against the forme cylinder  33 , the second used printing forme  37  is pushed further into the chute  42  by the continued rotation of the forme cylinder  33  opposite to its production direction P. In the course of this rotation, the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the first printing forme  37  resting in the chute  42  slides over the side with the printed image of the second printing forme  37  conveyed into the chute  42 . In the further course of events, the suspension leg  14  of the second used printing forme  37  also moves over the second ramp  77  connected with the conveying arrangement  81  and contacts the stop  79  which is connected with the second ramp  77 , as seen in  FIG. 27 . 
   The contact pressure element  24  is now again removed from the forme cylinder  33 . Because of the push by the suspension leg  14  of the trailing end  04  against the stop  79 , the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of the second used printing forme  37 , which is preferably positively connected and suspended at the front edge  16  of the opening  09 , is released from the opening  09 . Now the leading end  03  of the suspension leg  13  freely rests on the shell  07  of the forme cylinder  33 . From the release of the trailing leg  14  at the trailing end  04  until now, the forme cylinder  33  has again performed less than half a revolution. The beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  has been hooked between the second ramp  77  and the stop  79 . The lifting arm  84  of the printing forme lifting device  82  is lowered, so that the first printing forme  37  resting in the chute  44 , the trailing end  04  of which up to now had been held by it, is placed on a strip  89  formed on the stop  79 . The strip  89  has a height h 89 , perpendicular to the support  72 , whose value is greater than the length l 14  of the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing forme  37 . The height h 89  preferably has a value between the single and double length l 14  of the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing forme  37  as is shown in  FIG. 28 . 
   The conveying device  81 , which is connected with the second ramp  77 , and the stop  79  now pulls the second printing forme  37  completely into the chute  42 , wherein the first and the second printing formes  37  are now arranged on top of each other in the direction of their length L. The conveying device  81 , together with the second ramp  77  and the stop  79  for the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the printing forme  37  introduced into the chute  42 , constitute a moving device which may be seen in  FIG. 29 . 
   Now, the printing forme lifting device  82  preferably lifts the trailing ends  04  of both used printing formes  37  arranged in the chute  42 , by use of its lifting arm  84 , up to the securing element  86 . The leading end  03  of the second used printing forme  37  rests, with a projection oriented toward the forme cylinder  33 , on the high point  76  of the first ramp  74 , and the beveled suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of the first printing form  37  rests on the leading end  03  of the second printing forme  37  all as seen in  FIG. 30 . 
   For now mounting the second new printing forme  37 , which is lying ready in the upper chute  44 , the forme cylinder  33  continues to rotate against the production direction P into the second position, until the opening  09 , from which the suspension leg  13  at the leading end  03  of the second printing form  37  which had previously been removed from the forme cylinder  33  had been released, passes the contact point  88  of the contact pressure element  24  placed against the forme cylinder  33 . The rear edge  17  of the opening  09  which, in the production direction P of the forme cylinder, is at the rear, is now at a distance a 88  from the contact point  88 , wherein the distance a 88  lies in the range of a few millimeters, and is preferably less than 30 mm, and therefore corresponds to an arc length of less than a one-thirtieth part of the circumference of the forme cylinder  33 , as was shown in  FIG. 19 . Preferably, the contact pressure element  24  is now again placed against the forme cylinder  33  while the opening  09  passes the contact point  88 , or after it has passed the contact point  88 . The alignment device  51 , arranged near the forme cylinder  33 , again preferably pivots its diametrical stops  52 ,  53 , which preferably had been horizontally aligned previously, by 90° into a vertical position, so that a stop  52 ,  53 , matched to the width B of the second printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 , dips into a transport plane, defined by the support  54  in the chute  44  for the second printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33 . The second new printing forme  37  to be mounted on the forme cylinder  33  is now aligned with the forme cylinder  33  at the stop  52 ,  53  with the correct side registration while being transported out of the chute  44  as depicted in  FIG. 31 . 
   The suspension leg  14  on the trailing end  04  of the second new printing forme  37  to be mounted on the cylinder  33  rests against a stop  56 , which is connected with a conveying device  57 . Corresponding to the method previously explained in connection with  FIG. 20 , the conveying device  57  is again put into operation, so that the stop  56  conveys the second printing form  37  in a movement which is preferably directed tangentially to the forme cylinder  33 , out of the chute  44  until its leading end  03  touches the contact force element  24  placed against the forme cylinder  33 . The suspension leg  13 , beveled at this leading end  03 , now rests between the edge  17  of the opening  09 , which is in the rear in the production direction P of the forme cylinder  33 , and the contact point  88  of the contact force element  24 . This positioning is show in  FIG. 32 . 
   Corresponding to the method previously explained in connection with  FIG. 21 , the direction of rotation of the forme cylinder  33  is again changed and cylinder  33  begins to rotate in its production direction P. The suspension leg  13  resting on the leading end  03  of the second new printing forme  37  placed on the forme cylinder  33  now slides into the opening  09  and is suspended, preferably positively connected, at the front edge  16  of the opening  09 , as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
   By continuing the rotation of the forme cylinder  33  in its production direction P, the second new printing forme  37 , whose suspension leg  13  is suspended in the opening  09 , is completely moved out of the chute  44  and is drawn onto the forme cylinder  33 . In the course of the draw-on process, the second new printing forme  37  is rolled onto the forme cylinder  33  by the contact force element  24  placed against the forme cylinder  33 . After half a revolution of the forme cylinder  33  in its production direction P, the contact force element  24  now pushes the beveled suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing forme  37  into the opening  09 . The holding element  21  in the groove  08  assigned to this opening  09  was previously released and is now brought into the operating position in which it fixes the suspension leg  14  at the trailing end  04  of the second printing forme  37  introduced into the opening  09  in place, for example by clamping. The conveying device  57  moves the stop  56 , which is connected with it, back into its end position on the side of the upper chute  44  facing away from the forme cylinder. The upper chute  44  is now empty, while two used printing formes  37  have now been placed into the lower chute  42 , as may be seen in  FIG. 34 . 
   The contact pressure element  24  is now moved away from the forme cylinder  33 , and the diametrical stops  52 ,  53  of the alignment device  51  are preferably again pivoted into a horizontal position. The change of a second printing forme  37  on the forme cylinder  33  is finished with the method steps described. A used second printing forme  37  was first removed and a fresh second printing forme  37  was attached. The forme cylinder  33  is again ready for production. This change can also be completely performed by the subject device in less than one minute. The change of a first and of a second printing forme  37  can therefore be terminated in less than two minutes, and preferably can be terminated altogether in less than ninety seconds as shown in  FIG. 35 . 
   While preferred embodiments of a device for storing a dressing to be exchanged on a cylinder of a printing machine, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in, for example, the drives for the cylinders, the source of pneumatic fluid and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1