Patent Abstract:
At least several spaced apart storage compartments are provided in a plate storage device. These compartments can receive used printing forms from a printing cylinder or new printing forms that are to be supplied to the printing cylinder. At least one positioning assembly is utilized to adjust at least one mouth region of two of the storage compartments to the same spaced position, with respect to the printing cylinder, at different times in the operating cycle of the plate storage compartments. This mouth region is situated facing the printing cylinder. In another embodiment, at least one printing form, that is being received from the printing cylinder, can be stored in at least one storage compartment. At least one conveying apparatus is provided and includes an entraining mechanism for gripping the printing form that is to be removed. Alternatively, the conveying apparatus can be used with a new printing form that is to be fed to the printing cylinder and which is stored in at least one of the storage compartments. At least one advancing mechanism is provided and is comprised of a slider that can grip the printing form that is to be fed. A positioning assembly lifts and lowers the storage compartment, relative to the entraining mechanism and/or the slider or lifts and lowers the entraining mechanism and/or the slider relative to the storage compartment.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 U.S.C. 371, of PCT/EP2007/063398, filed Dec. 6, 2007; published as WO 2007/077730 A2 and A3 on Jul. 3, 2008 and claiming priority to DE 10 2006 061 316.3 filed Dec. 22, 2006, the disclosures of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to devices comprising a plurality of storage compartments which are arranged spaced from one another. The storage compartments are spaced from each other and are adapted to store either a printing forme that has been removed from a forme cylinder or a printing forme which is to be loaded onto the forme cylinder. At least one positioning device is associated with the plurality of storage compartments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A device which is usable for storing a blanket to be supplied to a cylinder of a printing press, and a method for supplying blankets to a cylinder of a printing press are known from WO 2004/085157 A1. At least two storage planes, which are arranged spaced from one another, are provided. A printing forme, which is to be mounted on a forme cylinder of a rotary printing press, can be stored on each storage plane. At least one conveyor mechanism, for use in conveying the respective printing forme up to or away from the forme cylinder, is provided. The storage planes are spaced substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the printing formes to be supplied to or carried away from the forme cylinder. With the device of WO 2004/085157 A1, printing formes to be supplied to a forme cylinder of a rotary printing press are conveyed by virtue of gravitational force from a first storage plane to a second storage plane. Such a conveyance is accomplished once a retaining assembly, which hold the printing forme in its first storage plane, have been released from the relevant printing forme. In the severe conditions which often exist in a rotary printing press, this release process can cause problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide devices having a plurality of storage compartments that are arranged spaced from one another. The reliability in supplying a printing forme to be supplied to the forme cylinder or in removing a printing forme to be removed from the forme cylinder is improved through the use of the storage device in accordance with the present invention. 
     The object in accordance with the present invention is attained with the provision of a storage device that is provided with a plurality of storage compartments which are arranged spaced at a distance from each other. These storage compartments are usable to receive a printing forme that has been removed from a forme cylinder, or to store a printing forme that will be loaded on a forme cylinder. A positioning device is usable with the storage device to selectively locate an opening area of a selected one of the at least two storage compartments facing the forme cylinder. Each opening area of its associate storage chamber can be placed against the forme cylinder at the appropriate time. At least one conveyor device, which is provided with a printing forme engaging carrier is provided in the used printing forme receiving compartment. An advancing mechanism, with a slider element, is in the new printing forme delivery compartment. A positioning assembly is usable to adjust the positions of the carrier and slider relative to its compartment. 
     The benefits to be achieved in accordance with the present invention consist, in particular, that a printing forme can be reliably supplied to, or can be reliably removed from a forme cylinder of a rotary printing press using the described devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in the accompanying set of drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. The drawings show: 
         FIG. 1 to 10  various individual steps of a plate loading process; 
         FIG. 11 to 15  various individual steps of a plate removal process; 
         FIGS. 16 and 17  perspective views of a device having a plurality of storage compartments, both one above another and taken in the axial direction of the forme cylinder; 
         FIG. 18 to 24  schematic side elevation views of various arrangements of the device in accordance with the present invention and having a plurality of storage compartments, and showing the device in cooperation with various printing unit variations. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 to 10  each schematically show the same section of a printing couple of a rotary printing press, and together illustrate the sequence of steps which occur during plate removal, and specifically which occur during the removal of printing formes from a forme cylinder of this printing couple.  FIGS. 11 to 15  each show the same section of the printing couple of the rotary printing press shown in  FIGS. 1 to 10 , and illustrate the sequence of steps which occur during plate loading, and specifically which occur during the supplying of printing formes to the forme cylinder of this printing couple. The printing formes to be supplied and/or removed are preferably flexible in structure in a direction along their length, which is a direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the forme cylinder. Each of the printing formes is typically embodied as being generally plate-shaped and provided with a substantially rectangular surface. This substantially rectangular surface typically measures between 400 mm and 1300 mm in length, for example, and measures between 280 mm and 1500 mm in width, for example. Preferred measurements for printing formes used in newspaper printing, for example, range from 360 mm to 800 mm in length, for example, and from 250 mm to 430 mm in width, for example. 
     In each of  FIGS. 1 to 15 , at least parts of a forme cylinder  01 , an ink forme roller  02  and other rollers  03 ,  04 ,  06  of an inking unit  07  are represented. In the configuration which is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 15 , two printing formes  08  can be arranged, one in front of another, on the circumference of the forme cylinder  01 . Each printing forme  08  has a preferably acutely angled suspension leg  09  at its leading end and a suspension leg  11  which is angled substantially at a right angle or an obtuse angle, for example, at its trailing end, with the respective suspension legs  09 ;  11  each measuring a few millimeters, such as, for example, measuring between 3 mm and 15 mm, in length. A material thickness of the suspension legs  09 ;  11 , which may be made, for example, of a metallic material, ranges from 0.15 mm to 0.5 mm and is, for example, 0.3 mm. The respective angling of the suspension legs  09 ;  11  is directed toward the rear or under side of the respective printing forme  08 . In other words, the angling is directed toward the printing forme surface which faces away from its print image side  12 , and which is located between its leading and trailing ends. The respective printing forme  08 , when each is mounted on the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 , rests with that underside surface on the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . The forme cylinder  01  has at least one axially parallel and extending groove  13  on its periphery, in the opening  14  of which groove  13  at least one of the suspension legs  09 ;  11  of the respective printing forme  08  is suspended. The opening  14  of the respective groove  13  is preferably slit-shaped in configuration and has a slit width of less than 5 mm, for example, and preferably has a slit width ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm. In  FIGS. 1 to 15 , only one of the two grooves  13 , which are typically arranged offset 180° from one another on the circumference of the forme cylinder  01 , is shown. Additionally, this groove  13  is represented only schematically relative to the printing forme  08  which is to be removed, and is not shown true to position. In the selected section of a printing couple of the rotary printing press shown in  FIGS. 1 to 15 , the intention is merely to indicate the general presence of these printing forme end receiving grooves  13 . The circumferential position of the respective groove  13  that is necessary for the plate removal and/or loading sequence is adjusted by a rotational movement of the forme cylinder  01  in the appropriate direction. 
     Near the periphery of the forme cylinder  01 , there is provided at least one contact pressure element  16 , which may be, for example, a roller element  16 , and preferably may be a roller strip  16 . Actuation of a positioning assembly  17  causes the contact pressure element  16  to execute a radial movement relative to the forme cylinder  01 , thereby allowing it to be engaged against, or to be disengaged from the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . When the contact pressure element  16  is engaged in this manner, a printing forme  08  will be pressed against the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 , for example. This is indicated in  FIGS. 1 to 15  by the use of dashed lines representing the contact pressure element  16 . In  FIGS. 1 to 15 , a device  18  for use in supplying a printing forme  08  true to register for loading is also indicated. This register device  18 , when it is actuated, positions at least one stop, which is not specifically shown, in an infeed plane for the printing forme  08  to be loaded. The printing forme  08  to be loaded strikes laterally against the at least one stop during its infeed movement. The printing forme  08  to be loaded is thus guided laterally. Preferably, a guide element  19 , such as for example, a roller guide element  19 , which is actuable via a positioning assembly  21 , is also provided near the periphery of the forme cylinder  01 . When this guide element  19  is actuated, it serves to guide preferably the trailing end of a printing forme  08  that is to be removed from the forme cylinder  01 . 
     At least one first storage compartment  22 , in which at least one printing forme  08  that has been removed can be stored, is provided. This first storage compartment  22  is preferably oriented in a preferably substantially tangential alignment relative to the circumference of the forme cylinder  01 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is represented in the drawings, a plurality of removed printing formes  08 , such as, for example two such printing formes, can preferably be stored one above the other in this first storage compartment  22 . A first printing forme  08  to be removed is placed on a first support surface  26  that belongs to this first storage compartment  22 . At a preferably invariable distance “a” from this first support surface  26  of the first storage compartment  22 , with this distance “a” remaining constant over its respective length, for example, at least one second storage compartment  23  is provided. A printing forme  08 , that is to be loaded on the forme cylinder  01 , can be stored in this second storage compartment  23 . The second storage compartment  23  preferably has a second support surface  27 , on which second support surface the printing forme  08 , that is to be loaded onto the forme cylinder  01 , is placed. The printing forme  08  to be loaded rests, on at least a portion of its length or surface, on this second support surface  27  until it is loaded onto the forme cylinder  01 . 
     A third storage compartment  24 , in which another printing forme  08 , that is to be loaded onto the forme cylinder  01 , can be stored, is preferably provided at another, such as, for example, a constant, distance “b” from the second support surface  27  belonging to the second storage compartment  23 . This additional printing forme  08  to be loaded is preferably placed or, at least can be placed on a third support surface  28  belonging to this third storage compartment  24 . The respective distance “a”; “b” between the respective support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28  of the relevant storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , preferably remains constant over the length of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 . Each such distance “a”; “b” exists preferably perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the printing formes  08  to be conveyed toward or away from the forme cylinder  01 . The respective direction of conveyance of each printing forme  08  is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal extension of the respective support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28 , which respective support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  runs parallel to the length of the respective printing forme  08 . The respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are all arranged with their respective support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28  substantially parallel to one another, for example. The respective support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  can each be embodied as at least one holding member for holding the respective printing forme  08  to be stored, or as at least one guide rail which engages laterally on the respective printing forme  08  to be stored, for example. Each respective printing forme  08  to be stored preferably rests, or at least can be placed, with only its two edges that each respectively extend parallel to the length of the respective printing forme  08 , rather than over its entire surface, on suitable, spaced guide rails, which are arranged opposite one another in pairs, as may be seen by referring to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 . 
     Each of these storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which are all used to each store at least one printing forme  08 , accordingly has a boundary that separates it from its respective surrounding area. Each of the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  preferably has a support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  on which at least one printing forme  08 , which is to be stored in the respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , can be placed. In each case, the respective boundary of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  is provided, for example, by the relevant support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  for the respective printing forme  08  to be stored there. The dimensions of each relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  are also each defined by the relevant support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28 . The dimensions of each respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , in terms of its length and width, are preferably defined such that each relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  encompasses the flat, rectangular surface of a plate-shaped printing forme  08  to be stored therein. The height of each respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  is preferably defined such that a printing forme  08 , to be stored in this storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , and including its respective angled suspension legs  09 ;  11 , can be fully placed therein, without projecting into another one of the adjacent storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which are arranged, for example, in a stack, one above the other. The relevant storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are slightly longer and slightly wider, such as preferably by only a few millimeters, and for example preferably longer and wider by between 1 mm and 10 mm, than are the respective printing forme or formes  08  which are to be stored in this relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 . The same criteria applies to the height of each respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 . The storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , with their respective support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , can preferably be provided in a magazine for use in storing printing formes  08 , for example. That magazine preferably has a housing which encompasses the respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  together, for example. These storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , with their respective associated support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , if applicable, each form a component part of the relevant overall magazine. 
     The support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28  of preferably all of the respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are especially rigidly, but each separably connected, for example, to a cross member  29 , and preferably to the same cross member  29 , which extends axially parallel to the forme cylinder  01 .  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  each show a perspective schematic representation of an assembly comprising a plurality of these first, second and third storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  which are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 . In the example which is schematically shown in  FIG. 16 , in each case, six printing formes  08  are stored, or at least can be stored, and are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 . In the example which is schematically shown in  FIG. 17 , rather than the six printing formes  08 , in each case three double-width printing formes  08  are stored, or at least can be stored, again, oriented side by side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 . The double-width printing formes  08  are also called panoramic printing formes  08 . To allow such panoramic or double-width printing formes  08  to be stored in each of the respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , three of the seven support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , which are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 , must be removed. In each case, it is the center support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  which, in one of each of the three sequences of three support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , is arranged directly one in front of another. In other words, in each case, the support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  having an even ordinal number, i.e., the second, fourth and sixth support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28  in this row of seven support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , embodied as guide rails and arranged parallel to one another is the one which must be removed. 
     The cross member  29 , that is shown schematically in  FIG. 16  and in  FIG. 17 , is connected, at each of its opposing end surfaces, to a positioning device  31 , and preferably is connected to a lifting device  31 . In another preferred embodiment, only a single positioning device  31  may be provided for the purpose of adjusting the spatial position of the cross member  29 , and including the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  connected to it, relative to the forme cylinder  01 . By synchronously actuating the positioning devices  31 , which are shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , the levels of the respective support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , each of which is permanently connected to the cross member  29 , and thus also the levels of each of the respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , can be adjusted. In the preferred embodiment, the lifting device  31  raises or lowers the cross member  29 , along with the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  attached to it, preferably as a combined unit, in other words, simultaneously in the same lifting process. However, the lifting device  31  must only simultaneously raise or lower at least two, and preferably all, support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28  that are connected to the cross member  29 . The positioning or lifting device  31  therefore adjusts, or can adjust, the respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  alternatingly, for example, to at least two different stable spatial positions. By use of the positioning device  31 , or by use of the at least one positioning device  31 , at least one opening area of at least two of the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , with that opening area facing the forme cylinder  01 , can be and actually is adjusted, in its respective operating state of engagement against the forme cylinder  01 , to the same spatial position relative to the forme cylinder  01  at different points in time. The opening area of a storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  extends along a boundary of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , with that boundary facing the forme cylinder  01  and extending axially along it. This boundary of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  faces the forme cylinder  01 , and thus extends preferably parallel to the width of the printing forme  08  that is or that will be stored in the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , with that width of the printing forme extending in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 . One of the opening areas of a selected one of the preferably three, vertically stacked storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  is therefore adjusted either to the infeed plane of the printing forme  08  that is to be supplied to the forme cylinder  01  or to the infeed plane of the printing forme  08  that is to be removed from the forme cylinder  01 . The respective support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28 , belonging to the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , and depending upon the operational setting of the storage compartment, which is selected using the at least one adjustment device  31 , is arranged so that the respective opening area of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  is positioned at the same spatial position as one of these infeed planes. This thereby allows unimpeded conveyance of the relevant printing forme  08  away from, or up to the forme cylinder  01 . This can be accomplished without a staged offset between this respective infeed plane and the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  with the associated support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28  in the vertical direction of the respective infeed plane. Each respective infeed plane extends at least between the opening area of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  and the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . Each such infeed plane is thus located tangentially against the circumferential surface of the relevant forme cylinder  01 . A transport path for the printing forme  08  to be loaded or removed, and existing between the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  and the relevant forme cylinder  01 , extends, in each case, within or at least along the respective infeed plane. An area that is spanned by the respective support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28 , such as, for example, an area between a pair of guide rails of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which guide rails are arranged spaced from and parallel to one another, and the respective infeed plane of the printing forme  08  that is stored or at least will be stored in this storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  therefore have, at least in their transition area, such as, for example, in the opening area of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which faces the relevant forme cylinder  01 , a continuous, preferably linear shape for the passage of the relevant printing forme  08  that is to be conveyed away from, or up to the forme cylinder  01 . Preferably, the at least one positioning device  31  adjusts at least two of the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  as a combined unit, typically along its entire length, and at different times, to the same spatial position relative to the forme cylinder  01 . The at least one positioning device  31  thus shifts the respective support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28  of at least two of the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  parallel with one another. This is the case especially when the relevant support surface  26 ;  27 ;  28 , with its respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , is permanently or rigidly connected in the magazine. 
     The respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , or at least their respective opening areas, thus have at least a first, for example, a lowered, stable operating position and have a second, for example, a raised, stable operating position. The at least one positioning device  31  can also pivot at least the opening area of each respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  around a rotational axis that extends in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 . With this pivoting movement, the positioning device  31  adjusts the desired spatial position of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , or at least the position of its opening area, relative to the forme cylinder  01 . The rotational axis, around which at least the opening area of the respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  can pivot, is spaced from the boundary of the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , which faces the forme cylinder  01  and extends in the axial direction of the forme cylinder  01 . 
     At least the storage compartments  23 ;  24  in which the printing formes  08  that are to be loaded sequentially on the same forme cylinder  01  are stored, and preferably all of the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  in this device, which device is engaged against the same forme cylinder  01 , preferably form a combined unit, such as, for example, an integrated unit, in which the respective storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  of this device are lowered or are raised together. The path of adjustment, which is preferably the stroke of the lifting device  31 , is indicated in  FIG. 16  and in  FIG. 17  by a double arrow. The stroke of the lifting device  31  lies within the range of, for example, a few millimeters, such as, for example, in a range between 5 mm and 30 mm, and especially lies in a range between 10 mm and 20 mm. The lifting device  31  can be embodied, for example, as one or more pneumatic cylinders. The support surfaces  26 ;  27 ;  28 , which are connected to the cross member  29 , can be implemented, for example, as U-shaped guide rails on which the printing formes  08 , which are stored in the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , rest. At least one, and preferably both, of their respective edges, that extend parallel to the length of these printing formes  08 , are received in the spaced, LL-shaped guide rails. 
     Referring again now to  FIGS. 1-15 , at least one conveyor device  32 , for use in conveying the respective printing forme  08  away from the forme cylinder  01 , is provided. This conveyor device  32  conveys a printing forme  08 , that is to be loaded into this storage compartment  22 , for example, by pulling it, via a movement which is executed along the length of the first storage compartment  22  assigned to the conveying device. This is done once the suspension leg  11 , which was located at the trailing end of this printing forme  08 , has been released from the opening  14  in the groove  13  and has been fed to the opening of this first storage compartment  22  as a result of a rotational movement of the forme cylinder  01 , optionally with the assistance of the guide element  19 , as may be seen in  FIG. 1 . The rotational movement of the forme cylinder  01  is indicated in  FIG. 1  by a rotational direction arrow. The conveyor device  32  has a carrier  33 , which may be embodied, for example, as a latch, and in which carrier  33  the suspension leg  11 , which is situated at the trailing end of the printing forme  08  to be loaded, engages, and especially snaps into, as a result of the rotational movement of the forme cylinder  01 . Once the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32  has gripped the trailing suspension leg  11 , which is located at the trailing end of the printing forme  08  that is to be removed  08 , the carrier  33  is moved by the conveyor device  32  from a position which is close to the forme cylinder  01  to a position which is distant from the forme cylinder  01 . This movement results in the removal of the printing forme  08  that is to be removed completely from the forme cylinder  01  lengthwise. The removed printing forme  08  is drawn into the first storage compartment  22 , as seen in  FIG. 2  and in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 2  shows the printing forme  08  during its removal from the forme cylinder  01 , whereas  FIG. 3  shows the printing forme  08  having been completely removed. 
     In the opening area of the first storage compartment  22 , and specifically at its end that faces the forme cylinder  01 , a ramp  34  can be provided, on which ramp  34  the leading end of the printing forme  08  rests when this printing forme  08  is stored in the first storage compartment  22 , as is seen in  FIG. 3 . The closest position of the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32 , with respect to the forme cylinder  01 , and when the printing forme  08  is to be removed, is located, for example, approximately halfway along the length of the printing forme  08  which is to be stored in this first storage compartment  22 . In order to support the release of the preferably acutely angled suspension leg  09  at the leading end of this printing forme  08 , that is eventually to be removed from the groove  13  of the forme cylinder  01 , it can be provided that, once the trailing end of the printing forme  08 , which is to be removed from the forme cylinder  01 , has been introduced into the first storage compartment  22 , at least this first storage compartment  22  is lowered relative to a spatial position of the forme cylinder  01  defined by the cylinder groove  13 . This lowering of the first storage compartment may be accomplished by actuating the at least one lifting device  31 , so that a bending stress is exerted on the front end of this printing forme  08  to be removed. 
     Once the printing forme  08  that is to be removed has preferably been completely drawn lengthwise into the first storage compartment  22 , at least this first storage compartment  22  is raised to another level. This elevating of the first storage compartment  22  may be accomplished especially by actuating the at least one lifting device  31  of the cross member  29 . The result is that the suspension leg  11  at the trailing end of the printing forme  08  to be removed becomes unlatched from the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32  which remains stationary, as seen in  FIG. 4 . The carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32  can then be moved back to its position close to the forme cylinder  01 , which position is depicted in  FIG. 5 . If a second printing forme  08  is to be removed from the same axial position on the forme cylinder  01 , this second printing forme  08  is released from the forme cylinder  01  at its trailing end  11 , as was described above, and is also fed to the first storage compartment  22 . In this case, at least this first storage compartment  22  is now again lowered to its lower level, such as for example, by re-actuating the at least one lifting device  31  of the cross member  29 . The carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32  now again projects into the first storage compartment  22 , as is depicted in  FIG. 8 . The carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32  can have a ram  36 , with which the removed printing forme  08 , which has already been stored in the first storage compartment  22  can be elevated. The result is that the already removed printing forme  08  is raised such that the leading end of this previously removed and stored printing forme  08  is raised from its position of rest an the ramp  34 . The trailing end of the second printing forme  08 , that is to be removed from the forme cylinder, can then be pushed, by the rotational movement of the forme cylinder  01 , under the leading end of the first, previously removed printing forme  08  that has already been stored in the first storage compartment  22 . The suspension leg  11  at the trailing end of the second printing forme  08  to be removed is moved into the storage compartment  22  until it is engaged on the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32 , as is depicted in  FIG. 7 . The second printing forme  08  to be removed from the forme cylinder  01  is then drawn all the way into the first storage compartment  22  by a movement of the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32  to its position distant from the forme cylinder  01 . The second printing forme  08  to be removed is stored below the first removed printing forme  08  that was first stored in the first storage compartment  22 . The leading end of the second removed printing forme  08  is now resting on the ramp  34 , as seen in  FIG. 8 . The first storage compartment  22  is now raised back up to its higher level, by a further actuation of the at least one lifting device  31  of the cross member  29 . The suspension leg  11  at the trailing end of the second printing forme  08  to be removed now also becomes unlatched from the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32 , as may be seen in  FIG. 9 . The removal process has now been completed for a specific axial position of the forme cylinder  01 . The two removed printing formes  08  that have now been stored in the first storage compartment  22  can be removed from the magazine, for example by staff who are operating the rotary printing press. The first storage compartment will thus be rendered empty, as may be seen in  FIG. 10 . 
     By utilizing the above-described plate removal process, for example, the two mounting positions, which are provided at the same axial position on the forme cylinder  01 , and which are situated one in front of another in the forme cylinder&#39;s circumferential direction, for example, are vacated. These two mounting positions can now each be loaded with a new printing forme  08  in a subsequent plate loading process. For this purpose, one printing forme  08  to be loaded can stored in the second storage compartment  23  and a second printing forme  08  can be stored in the third storage compartment  24 , all as seen in  FIG. 11 ; in  FIG. 16 ; and in  FIG. 17 . 
     The plate removal process has been described above within the context of an embodiment in which the level of the first storage compartment  22  can be changed by actuating the at least one lifting device  31  of the cross member  29 . However, because the execution of the above-described functions involves only a relative movement between the first storage compartment  22  and especially the carrier  33  of the conveyor device  32 , as an alternative to the above-described embodiment, the level of this carrier  33  of the conveyor device can also be adjustable relative to a stationary first storage compartment  22 . For executing functions, with respect to a printing forme  08  to be loaded, and which printing forme  08  to be loaded is stored in the second storage compartment  23  or in the third storage compartment  24 , a forme advancing mechanism  37  is provided. A level of the forme advancing mechanism  37 , which is indicated by reference numeral in  FIG. 11 , is adjustable relative to these second and third storage compartments  23 ;  24 . The relative movement between the advancing mechanism  37  and the storage compartments  23 ;  24  will be described, by way of example, in the discussion which follows, again within the context of an actuation of the at least one lifting device  31  of the cross member  29 . 
     The advancing mechanism  37 , as may be seen in  FIG. 11 , has a sliding element  38 , which first engages solely on the printing forme  08 , which is stored in the third, uppermost storage compartment  24 , and preferably engages the suspension leg  11  at the trailing end of the printing forme  08  which is stored in this third storage compartment  24 . This engagement is a result of the selected level between the advancing mechanism  37  and the storage compartments  23 ;  24 . The sliding element  38 , which is connected to the advancing mechanism  37 , projects vertically, for example, into the third storage compartment  24 . The advancing mechanism  37 , when it is actuated, exerts a thrust force via its slider element  38  on this printing forme  08 , with that thrust force being directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the printing forme  08  to be loaded. This thrust force is applied in order to feed this printing forme  08  toward the forme cylinder  01 . Such a forward feeding is continued until the angled suspension leg  09 , at the leading end of this printing forme  08  to be loaded, engages in one of the openings  14  in one of the two grooves  13  of the forme cylinder  01 , which two grooves are arranged offset 180° from one another, as seen in  FIG. 11 , and in  FIG. 12 . The advancing mechanism  37  thus moves its slider element  38  from a position that is initially relatively distant from the forme cylinder  01  to a position that is relatively closer to the forme cylinder  01 . This relatively closer position is located in the area of the rear half, or even in the area of the rear third of the printing forme  08  to be loaded, and which printing forme  08  is preferably stored lengthwise in the third storage compartment  24 . Once the suspension leg  09  at the leading end of this printing forme  08  to be loaded becomes hooked on the forme cylinder  01 , the forme cylinder  01  then rotates in the direction which is indicated in  FIG. 12  by a directional arrow. This rotation is effective in drawing the printing forme  08  to be loaded onto the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . The plate loading process can be supported by the at least one contact pressure element  16  which may be engaged against the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . 
     Once the printing forme  08  to be loaded, which was previously stored in the third storage compartment  24 , has been fed to the forme cylinder  01 , the level of the slider element  38  is adjusted relative to the second storage compartment  23 . Preferably, by actuating the at least one lifting device  31  of the cross member  29 , this second storage compartment  23  is raised relative to the advancing mechanism  37 , preferably as an integrated unit. The slider element  38 , that is connected to the advancing mechanism  37 , now engages against the printing forme  08  which is stored in the second storage compartment  23 , and preferably engages against the suspension leg  11  at the trailing end of this printing forme  08  which is stored in this second storage compartment  23 . This engagement occurs with the slider element preferably situated in its position distant from the forme cylinder  01 , as may be seen in  FIG. 13 . When it is actuated, the advancing mechanism  37  then exerts, via its slider element  38 , a thrusting force on the printing forme  08  to be loaded. That thrusting force is directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of this printing forme  08 , and is exerted in order to feed this printing forme  08  to the forme cylinder  01  in the same manner as was described above in reference to  FIG. 11  and to  FIG. 12 . Movement of the slider element  38  continues in the direction toward the forme cylinder  01  until the angled suspension leg  09  at the leading end of this printing forme  08  to be loaded on the forme cylinder  01  engages in one of the openings  14  in one of the grooves  13  of the forme cylinder  01 . Once this suspension leg  09  at the leading end of this printing forme  08  to be loaded becomes hooked on to the edge of the groove opening  14 , the forme cylinder  01  again rotates in the direction indicated by a directional arrow in  FIG. 14 . This rotation draws the printing forme  08  to be loaded onto the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . The plate loading process can also be supported by the use of the at least one contact pressure element  16  that is engaged against the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder  01 . When a plurality of printing formes  08  are to be supplied to the forme cylinder  01  from different storage compartments  23 ;  24 , the slider element  38  of the advancing mechanism  37  always feeds the printing forme  08  that is stored in the one of the several storage compartment  23 ;  24  which requires the shortest adjustment path for the lifting device  31  to the forme cylinder  01  first. In other words, the slider element  38  of the advancing mechanism  37  projects at different depths into the device with the storage compartments  23 ;  24 , depending upon, for example, the selected spatial position of this device. In each case, the slider element  38  can optionally be placed in active connection with the suspension leg  11  of one of the printing formes  08  to be loaded by lowering that slider element relative to the storage compartment  23 ;  24  or by raising the storage compartment  23 ;  24  relative to the slider element  38 . 
     Once the respective printing formes  08  that are stored in each of the storage compartments  23 ;  24  have been fed to the forme cylinder  01  and have been mounted on the forme cylinder  01 , the slider element  38  that is connected to the advancing mechanism  37  is preferably moved back to its position that is more distant from the forme cylinder  01 . Slider element  38  may then be pivoted, for example, by a rotation of 45° or more away from the forme cylinder  01 , for example, as is indicated in  FIG. 15  by a directional arrow. The storage compartments  23 ;  24  now become accessible for loading with new printing formes  08 . A new plate removal process and/or plate loading process, as has been described above, can then begin. 
     The present invention is characterized in that, either the at least one positioning device  31  adjusts at least one opening area, with that opening area facing the forme cylinder  01 , of at least two of the storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , in its respective operating state of engagement against the forme cylinder  01 , to the same spatial position relative to the forme cylinder  01  at different points in time, or alternatively, in that the at least one lifting or positioning device  31  raises the respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  relative to the carrier  33  and/or relative to the slider element  38 , or lowers the carrier  33  and/or the slider element  38  relative to the respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 . In the first embodiment of the present invention, the relevant storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are preferably adjusted, as a combined unit, to the same spatial position relative to the forme cylinder  01  at different points in time by adjusting the integrated unit provided by the magazine. In the second embodiment, in each of its two variations, a relative movement, which is directed preferably orthogonally to the relevant storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24 , is executed between this at least one storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  and the carrier  33  and/or slider element  38  which is assigned to it. In this case, the at least one lifting or positioning device  31  preferably raises the respective storage compartment  22 ;  23 ;  24  as a combined unit relative to the carrier  33  and/or slider element  38 . 
       FIG. 18  through  FIG. 24  show various arrangements of a device in accordance with the present invention, and as described above, in connection with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 17 , with a plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , and especially with three such storage compartments, in variously configured printing units. 
       FIG. 18  schematically depicts a printing tower with two nine-couple satellite printing units arranged one above another. A device having a plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  is arranged tangentially, in a horizontal alignment, on each forme cylinder  01 . The three storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are always arranged one above another in a stack or in a layered assembly. A path of a print substrate  39 , and especially a web of material  39 , and preferably a web of paper  39 , which is guided through the printing units, and the respective rotational direction of the printing couple cylinders, in their production direction, are each indicated by a rotational direction arrow. All of the printing couple cylinders are at least approximately the same size in diameter. The forme cylinders  01  and the transfer cylinders  42 , which are respectively assigned to them, are each embodied as double-sized cylinders. Two printing formes  08  can thus be arranged around the periphery of each respective forme cylinder  01  in the circumferential direction. An inking unit  07  and a dampening unit  41  are engaged against each respective forme cylinder  01 . The inking units  07  each have a roller train comprised of a plurality of rollers  02 ;  03 ;  04 ;  06 , as may be seen by referring back to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 19  also shows a printing tower with two nine-cylinder satellite printing units arranged one above the other. The forme cylinders  01  and the transfer cylinders  42 , which respectively are assigned to each satellite printing unit, are each embodied as double-sized cylinders. An inking unit  07  and a dampening unit  41  are engaged against each respective forme cylinder  01 . The inking units  07  each have a roller train which is preferably comprised of a plurality of rollers  02 ;  03 ;  04 ;  06 . All the printing couple cylinders are at least approximately the same size in diameter. In contrast to the devices represented in  FIG. 18 , and which are provided with the plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , in this embodiment, only the second storage compartment  23  and the third storage compartment  24  form an integrated unit. The first storage component  22 , which receives the removed printing formes, is arranged separately and is positioned at an inclination of preferably less than 30°, for example, in relation to the other two storage compartments  23 ;  24 . The second storage compartment  23  and the third storage compartment  24  are arranged horizontally, for example, and preferably are positioned in a tangential alignment in relation to the forme cylinder  01 . The first or used plate storage compartment  22  can be arranged below or above the other two storage compartments  23 ;  24 . Depending upon the installation conditions in the printing couple, the respective device and the plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  can also be arranged in a reverse sequence to the representations of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 17 , in some cases even arranged upside down, on the respective forme cylinder  01 . 
       FIG. 20  also shows a printing tower with two nine-cylinder satellite printing units which are arranged one above the other. The forme cylinders  01 , and the transfer cylinders  42  which are respectively assigned to them, are each embodied as double-sized cylinders. An inking unit  07  and a dampening unit  41  are engaged against each respective forme cylinder  01 . In  FIG. 20 , the respective rotational directions of the printing couple cylinders, and of the rollers which are provided for production operation are each indicated by rotational direction arrows. In contrast to the printing units shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , the diameter of the impression cylinder  43  in the two nine-cylinder satellite printing units of  FIG. 20  is approximately 50% larger than that of the four transfer cylinders  42  which are engaged against it. In the printing units shown in  FIG. 20 , as in the printing units which are shown in  FIG. 19 , in the devices having the plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , only the second storage compartment  23  and the third storage compartment  24  form an integrated unit. The first storage compartment  22  is arranged separately and at an inclination of preferably less than 30°, for example, in relation to the other two storage compartments  23 ;  24 . The first storage compartment  22  can be arranged either below or above the other two storage compartments  23 ;  24 . The second storage compartment  23  and the third storage compartment  24  are preferably arranged in a tangential alignment relative to the forme cylinder  01 . They are engaged against the respective forme cylinder  01  at an angle of inclination of between 15° and 75°, and preferably of between 40° and 60°, from the horizontal. 
       FIG. 21  to  FIG. 24  are directed to arrangements of the devices each having the multiple storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24 , and each being situated in a printing tower with printing couples arranged one above the other, such as, for example, in a compact structured eight-couple tower, which can be used in a double-sided, for example four-color, printing process. In  FIG. 21  and in  FIG. 22 , the printing couple cylinders, i.e., the forme cylinders  01  and the respectively assigned transfer cylinders  42 , are each double-sized in configuration. The devices with the plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are each preferably arranged generally horizontally and in a tangential alignment with each respective forme cylinder  01 . The three storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  each form an integrated unit that is corresponding to the representations in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 17 , for example. Each inking unit  07 , which is engaged against its respective forme cylinder  01 , is embodied as an anilox inking unit, for example. The printing unit has two halves  44 ;  46  which may be encompassed by a frame  47 , for example, with at least one half  44  or  46  of the printing unit being mounted so as to be capable of moving toward or away from the other half  46 ;  44 , respectively of the printing unit.  FIG. 22  shows the printing unit of  FIG. 21  with one printing unit half  44 ;  46  moved away from the other. The printing units which are represented in  FIG. 23  and  FIG. 24  differ from the printing units which are represented in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . The printing units depicted in  FIG. 23  and in  FIG. 24  show single-sized forme cylinders  01 , which each cooperate with double-sized assigned transfer cylinders  42 . In  FIG. 23 , the inking unit  07  that is engaged against each respective forme cylinder  01  is embodied, for example, as a short inking unit such as, for example, as an anilox inking unit. The respective inking unit  07  in the printing unit of  FIG. 24  has a longer roller train. In the printing unit of  FIG. 24  a dampening unit  41  is also engaged against each respective forme cylinder  01 . In  FIG. 23  and in  FIG. 24 , the devices with the plurality of storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  are also each arranged either horizontally or at an inclination of up to 15°, and preferably of less than 10° from horizontal in relation to the respective forme cylinder  01 , and are each positioned at a tangential alignment, in relation to the respective forme cylinder  01 . The three storage compartments  22 ;  23 ;  24  again form an integrated unit corresponding to the representations in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 17 , for example. The printing units of  FIGS. 23 and 24  can also have printing unit halves  44 ;  46  that can be separated by moving them apart. 
     While preferred embodiments of devices comprising a plurality of storage compartments arranged spaced from one another, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in, for example, the specific drives for the cylinders, the structures of the frames of the printing units, the types of inks being applied to the webs and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the subject invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1