US3625145A

US3625145A - Cylinder cart for exchanging cylinders on the fly

Info

Publication number: US3625145A
Application number: US830697A
Authority: US
Inventors: William A Heatley Jr; Joseph R Caulfield; Alfons M Schmid
Original assignee: Bobst Champlain Inc
Current assignee: Bobst Champlain Inc
Priority date: 1969-06-05
Filing date: 1969-06-05
Publication date: 1971-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-07

Abstract

A rotogravure printing press has a printing station frame defining a hollow space, and a detachable gravure carriage is movable into and out of the hollow space in the frame. The detachable printing carriage is an integral unit and carries a number of components which are employed in the printing operation. The carriage is provided with lower wheels for movement of the carriage along the ground when it is outside of the station. In addition, rollers are provided on the side of the carriage frame for carrying the carriage into the printing station to a position where the printing cylinder on the carriage engages the main drive mechanism in the printing station through coupling means. This can be accomplished ''''on the fly'''' with adjacent printing stations in operation. Means are also provided to engage the printing cylinder ''''in register.'''' Additional features include an idling drive mechanism mounted on the gravure carriage for rotating the printing cylinder outside of the printing station and a complete inking system for off-press makeready. With this mechanism the doctor blade which is also positioned on the carriage can be ''''run in'''' outside of the station. A unique connecting assembly partly positioned on the carriage and partly positioned in the printing station is provided for enabling the doctor blade to be joined with an oscillatory drive mechanism in the printing station.

Description

United States Patent 72] inventors William A. Heatley, Jr.

Wayne; Joseph R. Caulfield, Norwood; Alfons M. Schmid, East Orange, all of NJ. [21] Appl. No. 830,697 [22] Filed June 5, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [73] Assignee Bobst Champlain, Inc.

Roseland, NJ.

[54] CYLINDER CART FOR EXCHANGING CYLINDERS ON THE FLY 33 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 101/152, 101/150,101/212,101/216,101/366 [51] 1nt.Cl B41f9/l8 [50] Field of Search 101/152, 153,157,181,219,216,150,151,l71,173,174, 178,183, 248, 366, 364, 212

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,874,635 2/1959 Reinartz 101/216 3,094,066 6/1963 Kendrick... lOl/2 16 3,173,361 3/1965 Ver1ik.... 101/216 3,186,336 6/1965 Kirby 101/216 3,232,227 2/1966 Zernov et al... 101/157 2,506,011 5/1950 Caulfield 101/153 X 2,676,538 4/1954 Bamford 101/153 2,809,582 10/1957 Crawford 101/157 X 3,141,313 7/1964 Brickett et a1. 101/248 UX Primary Examiner- Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant E.raminerR. E. Suter Attorney.lames and Franklin ABSTRACT: A rotogravure printing press has a printing station frame defining a hollow space, and a detachable gravure carriage is movable into and out of the hollow space in the frame. The detachable printing carriage is an integral unit and carries a number of components which are employed in the printing operation. The carriage is provided with lower wheels for movement of the carriage along the ground when it is outside of the station. In addition, rollers are provided on the side of the carriage frame for carrying the carriage into the printing station to a position where the printing cylinder on the carriage engages the main drive mechanism in the printing station through coupling means. This can be accomplished on the fly" with adjacent printing stations in operation. Means are also provided to engage the printing cylinder in register. Additional features include an idling drive mechanism mounted on the gravure carriage for rotating the printing cylinder outside of the printing station and a complete inking system for off-press make-ready. With this mechanism the doctor blade which is also positioned on the carriage can be run in" outside of the station. A unique connecting assembly partly positioned on the carriage and partly positioned in the printing station is provided for enabling the doctor blade to be joined with an oscillatory drive mechanism in the printing statron.

PATENTED DEC 7 I97! mum A. HEATLEY .n.

JOSEPH acwwub BY ALFONS M. scams yww/m ATTORNEYS PATENTEU DEC 7 l97| SHEET 2 OF 7 mwaivmns WILLIAM A. HEATLEY Jr.

JOSEPH R. cAuLFlsfio 1w ALFONS M. SCHMID ATTORNEY5 PATENTEDHEE nan 1625145 SHEET 3 [IF 7 INVI'JN'I'ORS WILLIAM A. HEATLEY, Jr. JOSEPH R. CAULFIELD ALFONS M. SCHMID gar-Mm ATTORNEYS IIY PATENTED DEB SHEET u or 7 INVI'IN'I'UHS WlLLIAM A.HEATLEY, Jr. JOSEPH RCAULFIELD ALFONS M. scumo ATTORNEYS CYLINDER CART FOR EXCHANGING CYLINDERS ON THE FLY This invention relates to printing presses, and more particularly to rotogravure printing presses.

Gravure printing presses are usually constructed with a plurality of adjacent printing stations through which the printed web is passed. Each printing station is designed to print a specific color or indicia on the web. For this purpose each printing station is provided with components which are normally found in a gravure press, e.g. printing cylinder, impression roller, ink fountain, doctor blade and ink applicator mechanism. The several stations are generally interconnected by means of a common drive mechanism. Each such station is quite complex in terms of the number and variety of components which are required to properly print the selected color or indicia on the passing web. One important difficulty in a press of this type is the inaccessibility of the various components in a station, and the inability to change printing cylinders. Normally if a critical component breaks down or is worn beyond repair and must be replaced, the entire series of stations are shut down, and the press becomes inoperative. Attempts are made to construct the press so that free access to the parts can be achieved without difficulty during this period. However, accessibility of the parts is still a major problem and down time of the press for repair or replacement continues to be unavoidable.

This invention provides a printing press of the type above discussed which is characterized by a structure which permits ready access to the various components for repair and replacement without necessitating press shutdown. Any station of the several which are operating can selectively be disconnected from the remaining stations, and the components in the disconnected station can be readily and quickly repaired or replaced. Not only does this provide the desired attribute of not having to shut down the press, but it provides the additional advantage of variety and flexibility in the overall printing operation. For example, if it desired to change part of a print format by simply changing a label or a name in the label, one disconnected station may have the printing cylinder engraved to include the new information while the press is operating with the original information in an adjacent station. The new cylinder can then be inserted and the adjacent station disconnected, so that the press then includes the required new information.

It is the primary object of this invention therefore, to provide a printing press of the type above discussed which is characterized by a structure which permits the insertion of the printing carriage in the printing station frame in register while the press is in operation, or conversely the printing carriage can be removed from the printing station frame while the press is in operation. The advantages of this feature are recognized by authorities in the graphic arts since it reduces misregister printing waste associated with the stopping of a rotogravure printing press. For example, in the printing of a particular format many times the basic configuration or format is retained, with only the name of the supplier changed, such as occurs in the printing of paperboard milk cartons or similar cartons or labels. With the proposed invention, the printing carriages with printing cylinder can be completely prepared for printing off-press and inserted in the disconnected printing station while adjacent color stations are operative. The printing station is made operative by lowering the impression cylinder ontothe gravure cylinder and confining the web between the two members. The adjacent printing station which it replaces is made inoperative by raising the impression cylinder and the subsequent removal of the printing carriage. Thus, it can be seen that since printing tension is maintained throughout the press, color registration will be maintained and only a few cartons are wasted as compared to several hundred feet of web if the press were stopped to engage the new printing carriage.

Broadly, the objects of the invention are accomplished by a gravure printing press comprising a printing station frame defining a hollow space and a detachable carriage movable into and out of the hollow space of the frame. The detachable carriage carries a plurality of components many of which are basic to the operation of the press. Such components include the printing cylinder, ink tank, ink pump, doctor blade mechanism and doctor blade holder, ink applicator mechanism and other associated equipment. The carriage and components form an integral unit which is readily inserted into and detached from the printing station frame which houses the remainder of components employed in the printing operation. The carriage rests on wheels when it is outside of the printing station and is carried on rollers positioned at the front and rear side sections of the carriage frame as it is being inserted into the station.

The carriage also may include a separate idling motor and several clutches. The motor is used to rotate the printing cylinder so that the doctor blade may be adjusted properly against the cylinder surface and then run in outside of the printing station, so that it is ready for instant use when the carriage is operatively positioned. In addition, the motor may be used to rotate the printing cylinder at a desired speed so that it may be inserted into the printing station for direct connection with the rotating drive mechanism therein. For the purposes of this connection a splined male member is accurately positioned at the rear of the carriage and when the carriage is inserted into the printing station this member engages a splined female member which is operatively connected to the main drive mechanism in the printing station. Slip and one way clutches are included as a safety device and declutching means to detach the idling motor on the carriage from the printing cylinder once the connection with the main drive mechanism in the printing station is achieved. The proper orientation of the printing cylinder is obtained by a proper registration of these splined members. This may be accomplished by employing a projecting key on one member which joins with a similarly shaped receptacle in the other member. By engraving the art work on the printing cylinder relative to the projecting key, all printing carriages will be in register upon their insertion in this printing station frame.

Additional features of the apparatus of the invention include doctor blade connect and disconnect mechanism which permits the doctor blade on the carriage to be easily joined to and disconnected from the printing station frame. When the carriage is positioned within the printing station, the doctor blade is connected to a mechanism which imparts an oscillatory motion to the doctor blade in the conventional manner while the blade wipes the ink from the unetched surface of the printing cylinder. This connection is effected by the engagement of a projecting finger on the doctor blade holder and a slotted yoke which is a part of the oscillatory drive mechanism. The carriage also includes a plurality of components which are used to adjust the doctor blade to a proper wiping angle position on the periphery of the printing cylinder prior to the connection of the doctor blade with the oscillatory drive mechanism.

Still other features of the apparatus include a stop assembly which is arranged to prevent the engagement of the male and female splined members with excessive inertia. For this purpose the carriage is provided with a slidable member which contacts and interferes with a projecting block on the printing station frame as the carriage moves to within a few inches of the engagement position. After the stop assembly stops the carriage, the slidable member is lifted out of engagement with the projecting block so that the carriage can proceed the remaining few inches into spline-produced engagement with the station main drive mechanism. To ensure proper engagement of these members a rack and pinion is included, the pinion being positioned on the frame of the printing station at the front part thereof, and the rack being positioned on the front part of the carriage. When the stop assembly stops the carriage, the rack engages the pinion. At this position, the carriage frame is resting upon the station frame and not on the carriage rollers, and thus a high frictional resistance to further movement results. The rack and pinion is operated to over come this frictional resistance, and in this manner the carriage is brought to the final position slowly and with care.

In one embodiment several struts are positioned at the rear of the carriage and are employed to provide additional vertical support to the upper portion of the carriage when the carriage is not in the printing station. These struts are pivotally mounted on the carriage so that when the carriage is inserted into the printing station, they are automatically moved into a horizontal position which does not interfere with the travel of the carriage along the station frame and does not strike or destroy the web as it passes through the station.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to construction of a printing press apparatus as defined in the appended claims, and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of several printing stations in the printing apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carriage which is used in all of the printing stations illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the carriage illustrated in FIG. 2 after it is inserted into a printing station;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view partly in section of the front portion of the carriage illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view partly in section of the rear portion of the carriage illustrated in FIG. 2 after it had en gaged the printing station drive mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a transverse view taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the carriage illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the path of travel of the carriage as it approaches and reaches a final position in the printing station frame;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of a locking mechanism employed to lock the carriage of FIG. 2 to the printing station frame;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a stop assembly for stopping the carriage of FIG. 2 as it is inserted into the printing station; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the interior of a printing station frame into which the carriage is inserted.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates several printing stations with the detachable carriages positioned within the printing station frames. The detachable carriage 16 is most clearly shown in FIG. 2, while the printing station 10 without the carriage is best illustrated in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 1, each

printing station

10, 12, 14 is illustrated as including

carriages

16, 16a and 16b positioned within the printing station frames 22, 24 and 26. A web 28 passes over a plurality of lightweight metal alloy rollers which in printing station 10 are designated by the

numerals

30, 32, 34 and 36. As the web passes over these rollers it is also passed over two

support rollers

38 and 40 and impression cylinder 42. The web is shown to pass between the impression cylinder 42 and printing cylinder 44 and it is at this area that pressure is applied to the web and printing from the printing cylinder is effected thereon. The

support rollers

38 and 40 move with the impression cylinder 42 by means of a mechanism such as a hydraulic cylinder (208 in FIG. 3). Such a mechanism is provided for lowering or raising the impression cylinder 42 together with the

rollers

38 and 40. This movement is employed when a carriage is inserted into a printing station. The

other printing stations

12 and 14 are provided with similar rollers as shown.

Each station is also provided with a dryer such as at 46, 48 and 50 and each dryer is provided with an

exhaust pipe

52, 54, 56 which is connected to an exhaust fan known to the arts. Each of these dryers is designed to provide approximately 7 feet of drying length and is suitable to dry normal gravure ink at speeds up to one thousand feet per minute. An after-dryer, now shown, having approximately feet of drying length may be provided at the last rotogravure color station for further drying of the ink and for positive removal of any residual odor remaining in the material being processed.

A common drive shaft is schematically illustrated at 58 in FIG. 1 and is connected to each printing station by means not shown, but well known, such as a sliding worm and worm wheel drive, a planetary drive gear arrangement, or a worm gear or bevel gear drive. The two former drives permit a space or cylinder correction to efi'ect printing register and are applicable to the printing units in question. The two latter drives are used in conjunction with compensators whereby the web length between stations is varied to obtain color registration. The drive shaft imparts rotation to the printing cylinders at a desired speed when they are inserted into the printing station, so that the information engraved on the cylinders can be properly imprinted on the passing web.

FIG. 2 clearly illustrates a detachable carriage generally designated 16 which is inserted into a printing station. The carriage 16 includes a carriage frame 66 which is generally C" shaped. The frame 66 includes a horizontally extending lower frame portion 68 and a horizontally extending upper frame portion 70 which are rigidly connected by the vertical frame portion 72, and are also further supported by

struts

74, 76. The

struts

74 and 76 are pivotally mounted on the inside portion of the carriage frame by shaft 259 (see FIGS. 3 and 8) and are adapted to swing freely therefrom. These struts are moved to a horizontal position after they contact the cross bar 256 of the printing station frame 22 (FIG. 12). Thus the struts are moved out of the way so that they do not interfere with the web which passes between the lower portion 68 and upper portion 70 of the frame 66 once the carriage is positioned in the printing station.

The particular embodiment of the carriage frame 66 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be employed when the printing station has a cross bar or brace which is identified in FIG. 12 by the numeral 256. The opening 69 in the C" frame carriage shown in FIG. 2 passes over the cross bar 256 of the station frame 22 and provides a path for the web 28 in FIGS. 1 and 3 as it passes over the various supporting rollers. Of course, other suitable carriage configurations may be employed, and the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is not intended to be limiting.

With reference to FIG. 2 the carriage there specifically disclosed also includes

rollers

78 and 80 which are affixed to both sides of the carriage for the purposes of rolling the carriage along the printing station frame as the carriage is being pushed into the frame. The carriage is carried along the ground by from and rear wheels 84 and 86 (FIGS. 1, 3) when it is outside of a printing station. A handle 90 is positioned at the top front of the carriage and facilitates the movement of the carriage both into the printing station and along the ground after it is removed from the station. A brake mechanism is generally designated by the numeral 92 and is shown to include a foot rod 94 and brake disc 96. The brake 92 is employed after the carriage has been removed from the printing station to stop the carriage from rolling along the surface. The carriage also includes

winged frame portions

98 and 100 for structural strength and rigidity.

The carriage holds a plurality of auxiliary components not used during the actual printing but used for off-press makeready. These include the idling mechanism shown generally at 102. The idling mechanism includes an idler motor 104, idler gears 106 and 108, and

clutches

110 and 112. The idling mechanism is connected to printing cylinder 44 (FIG. 4) through the

shafts

116 and 220. This idling mechanism serves two functions. It enables the printing cylinder 44 to be rotated prior to the engaging of the printing cylinder drive coupling 232 and 238 (FIG. 5) so that it can obtain the proper rotational speed for insertion into the printing station on the fly. In this manner the shock load introduced because of the mismatch is speed between the printing cylinder and the press drive is greatly reduced. In addition, the ability to rotate and ink up the printing cylinder off-press enables the doctor blade to be run in with the printing cylinder in order to obtain a clean wipe prior to the insertion of the carriage into the printing station. Thus, the need for adjusting the doctor blade after the printing cylinder engages the main drive mechanism in the printing station is avoided.

For the purposes of adjusting the doctor blade outside of the printing station, a plurality of adjusting mechanisms are included as components on the carriage 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The doctor blade itself is designated generally by the numeral 118, and is positioned in the doctor blade holder 120. Two

rotatable knobs

122 and 124 perform the function of orienting the doctor blade holder 120 so that the doctor blade itself can be moved toward or away from the printing cylinder to obtain a uniform contact area. Tilting the doctor blade holder 120 upwardly or downwardly relative to the print cylinder is achieved by turning the hand wheel 126. This motion is translated through the shaft 128 to the bevel gear mechanism 130 and spring 131 which causes the doctor blade holder mechanism to pivot. The spring force is resisted by the doctor blade 118 when it contacts the printing cylinder. Pressure for the doctor blade loading against the printing cylinder 44 is provided through the air cylinder 132 which is superimposed on the bias pressure of spring 131. The cylinder 132 is controlled through the

pressure regulators

134 and 136. These regulators are connected to the air cylinder 132 through air hoses 138 and 140, and the pressure is indicated by pressure gauges 142 and 144. Lever operated four-way valve 135 is used to engage or disengage the doctor blade 118 from the gravure cylinder 44.

As is normally the case, once the doctor blade 118 is positioned within a printing station, it is horizontally oscillated across the surface of the printing cylinder 44 so that its wiping action can be effectively achieved. The drive mechanism for providing this oscillation is positioned within the printing station itself but the means through which the oscillation is imparted to the doctor blade is mounted on carriage 16 and is shown in FIGS, 2 and 3. A rod 146 and the radially protruding finger 148 are integrally connected together, and are rotated by means of the crank arm 150. The finger 148 is adapted to be positioned within the slotted yoke 152 (shown best in FIG. 12) when the carriage 16 is in its inserted operative position and once positioned therein is locked in place on the yoke by turning the crank arm 150 a quarter turn. The oscillation drive mechanism is located within the housing 154 also shown in FIG. 12 and oscillates the doctor blade 118 through the yoke 152, rod 146 and holder 120. When the carriage 16 is to be withdrawn from a printing station the crank arm 150 is given a reverse twist, thus aligning the finger 148 with the slot 152, and the carriage 16 may then be withdrawn without resistance by using the rack and pinion mechanism for this purpose.

The oscillation of the doctor blade is in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printing cylinder, that is, from the front to the rear of the carriage and back. The oscillation occurs very slowly as is normally the case. During the oscillation, the doctor blade holder support 121a is carried on the rollers 115 (FIG. 2) which are moved along the grooves 117.

Removal or positioning of the doctor blade holder 120 is achieved by loosening the thumb screws 119, which are fastened to the blocks 121. When these screws 119 are loosened, the doctor blade holder 120 is permitted to slide between the blocks 121 and the doctor blade holder support 121A, FIG. 3. The screws 119 are tightened and the doctor blade holder 120 and the support 121A oscillate together.

The relative position of the printing cylinder 44 within the printing carriage is effected by means of the handwheel 123 and the lock handle 125 to obtain lateral printing register. This particular motion of the printing cylinder can best be explained by referring to FIG. 4. As there illustrated, the handwheel 123 is rotatable over the ball bearing 212 and the shaft 116. Handwheel 123 is securely fastened to the threaded flanged tube 129 by means of the bolts 131. The front extension 216 of the printing cylinder shaft 220 is carried within the tube 129 and thus is actually displaced when the tube 129 is actually displaced. This lateral displacement occurs when the handwheel 123 is rotated in either direction through the ball bearing 212 which is fastened to shaft 116 by locknut 127. The outer bearing race is confined between handwheel 123 and the threaded flanged tube 129. After the repositioning of the printing cylinder 44 is completed the lock handle 125 is tightened, which locks the threaded tube 129 in the front bearing housing 212A. Lateral movement of the printing cylinder can be obtained while the station is in the printing mode.

The carriage 16 also includes the ink applicator mechanism 156 shown most clearly in FIG. 3. Also included on the carriage 16 (FIG. 8) is a self-contained system to supply ink to the applicator. This includes the ink pump 158, ink tank 160 in which the ink is stored, drive motor 162 which is drivingly connected to the pump 158 by .means of belt 161, and a valve 164 for controlling the flow of the ink to the ink applicator. An ink pan 166 shown best in FIG. 4 contains a reservoir of the ink through which the ink printing cylinder 44 passes. An opening 168 feeding the ink return pipe 170 provides an overflow exit when the ink level in pan 166 rises above the opening. The ink then flows back into ink tank 160 to be again pumped up to the applicator 156.

FIG. 3 illustrates in a front elevational view the carriage 16 positioned within the printing station 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the doctor blade 118 is positioned against the printing cylinder 44, and is held in doctor blade holder 120. The manually operated knob 124 is shown to be operatively connected to the holder 120 through the shaft 172. In addition, the slotted yoke 152 is illustrated with the rod 146 positioned therein.

Additional features of the carriage and printing station assembly are shown in FIG. 3, and include a pinion 178 and a rack 179, a rod 180 and a rack handle 182. The pinion 178 is positioned on the front of the printing station frame as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 12, and is there drivingly connected to handle 182 by rod 180. The rack 179 is positioned on the carriage frame, and when the carriage is positioned approximately three to four inches from its fully inserted operative position in which position the carriage engages the drive mechanism in the printing station, the rack 179 meshes with the pinion 178. Handle 182 may then be manually rotated, and the entire carriage is positively moved the remaining three or four inches to its fully inserted operative position. In this manner the engagement of the carriage mechanism and the printing station mechanism is carefully effected, and damage is avoided.

Another safety feature which is designed to overcome the inertia of the carriage when it is pushed into the printing station frame is the stop assembly designated generally in FIG. 3 by the numeral 184. This stop assembly on the carriage cooperates with a protruding block 186 (illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12) which is mounted on and projects from the printing station cross bar 256 adjacent the pinion 178. This block 186 engages the slidable member 188 (FIG. 11) which is positioned near the front of the carriage. When these two parts are connected the carriage cannot move until the slidable member 188 is lifted out of engagement with the block 186. This can be readily done by simply lifting the member 188 by means of handle 189 to a position where it no longer interferes with the block 186. The member 188 is provided with a slot so that it readily slides under bolt head 187. With this construction, the prevention of improper engagement of the various mechanisms is ensured.

FIGS. 3 and 8 also illustrate that the ink tank 160 is itself positioned on wheels 190. This permits the easy removal of the tank such as by means of handle 191 for the purposes of changing the ink or cleaning out the tank. This can be done without disassembling the frame in any manner. It will also be noted in FIG. 3 that when the carriage is in position in the printing station the wheels 86 are spaced (87,89) from the ground 91 and the rollers 80 are also positioned off the printing station frame as shown at 192. The carriage at this position is maintained on the station frame by virtue of a metal-tometal contact therewith, that is, the rear part of frame section 70 in the upper portion of the carriage frame 16 rests on the section 286 (FIG. 12) of the station frame as is hereinafter further explained.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the auxiliary equipment which is employed to pass the web 28 through the printing station and on to the next station. For example, guide

rollers

30 and 32 are positioned at either side of the carriage, and pass the web to the impression cylinder 42 over guide roller 38 and guide roller 40. A hydraulic piston assembly 208 is positioned above the impression cylinder 42 by means (not shown) to raise or lower the impression cylinder as desired. As before mentioned the

guide rollers

38 and 40 are simultaneously lifted and lowered with the impression roller 42. These three rollers are raised a slight amount when the carriage is to be inserted into the printing station so that they do not interfere with the printing cylinder 44 and the impression roller 42. Raising of the impression roller 42 and the two

web guide rollers

38 and 40 does not change the web length between printing stations because of the parallel webbing.

FIG. 4 illustrates in greater detail the idling mechanism which is used to rotate the printing cylinder 44 when the carriage is outside of the printing station. As there shown the idling motor 104 is connected through shaft 208 to a torque limiting clutch 112 upon which is mounted the gear 108. This gear meshes with gear 106 which in turn is mounted on the overrunning clutch 110. The clutch 110 is positioned on a shaft 116 and locked to the shaft by means of the bolt 210 and key 211. The shaft 116 extends through bearing 212 to connect with the printing cylinder shaft 214 at the joint 216. The printing cylinder shaft 214 is mounted within the bearing 218 and connects to the printing cylinder 44 through its flanged extension 220. An outer cover 222 is bolted to the frame 224 and encloses the upper portion of the shaft 220 and the end of the printing cylinder. The ink pan 166 is positioned below the printing cylinder 44 and houses the ink (not shown) through which the cylinder is passes as it rotates. The idling motor 104 is mounted on a brace 226 which is integrally secured to the carriage by any suitable means, not shown. The illustration in FIG. 4 depicts the carriage l6joined to the printing station as indicated by the station frame member 228 which forms a part of the printing station.

As before indicated the idling motor may be employed to rotate the printing cylinder with the inking system operating in order to run in the doctor blade, that is to enable the doctor blade to wear against the printing cylinder before the carriage is operatively inserted into the press. This action can occur only after the doctor blade 118 is adjusted to the proper wiping angle and with desired degree of pressure on the cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated for an appreciable period of time. Only after this has been done is the printing cylinder ready for use. For this purpose the printing cylinder 44 may be rotated at a suitable speed by the idling motor 104 while the carriage is removed from the printing station frame.

When it is desired to engage the drive mechanism in the printing station on the fly, the printing cylinder is rotated at a speed approximately 50 to 75 rpm. slower than the drive mechanism in the printing station. When the printing cylinder engages the drive mechanism the rotational speed of the printing cylinder increases to that of the station drive speed and clutch 110 disengages the idling motor 104 from the printing cylinder shaft 214. If for any reason the idling speed for the printing cylinder is greater than the speed of the drive mechanism within the printing station, then the idling motor 104 is disengaged by means of the torque limiting clutch 1 12.

The engagement of the printing cylinder and the main drive mechanism in the printing station is best explained with reference to FIGS. 5 through 7. FIG. 5 illustrates the connection at the rear of the printing cylinder shaft 214. As there il Iustrated, the end 230 of the shaft 214 is affixed to a male splined member 232 by means of the key 234 which is wedged in the keyway 236. The male splined member 232 fits within the female splined ember 238 and is oriented by means of the key 240 which fits into a keyway 242 in the male member 232. The key 240 is for coarse registration of these members while fine registration is affected by the use of chamfered edges on the splines of member 238. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the female member 238 is fastened to plate 246. Female member 238 is movable relative to plate 246 and is adjusted by means of the bolts 248 positioned within the slots 250. As illustrated in FIG. 6 there are a plurality of such slots about the front surface 239 of the female member 238. By adjusting member 238, the key 240 is preset so that the engraved information on the cylinder surface is correctly oriented after engagement of the two

members

232 and 238. This information is therefore transferred to the web in the proper area on the web relative to information transferred from the printing cylinder in the other stations. This adjustment is made once for a given cylinder size.

The female splined member 238 rotates together with the plate 246. The rotation thereof is effected through the drive shaft 243 which is carried in bearing 245. The shaft 243 is secured to the plate 246 by the

bolts

247 and 249. This rotation is transmitted through the male splined member 232 to the printing cylinder shaft 214 which is rotated in the bearing 25]. The shaft 214 and bearing 251 are enclosed in the carriage frame 253 as illustrated.

A locating post 252 is vertically positioned within the printing station frame directly below the female splined member 238. The post 252 is also illustrated in FIG. 12. This post 252 is employed to align the printing cylinder 44 as it is inserted into the printing station. For this purpose a yoke 254 is mounted at the rear of the carriage and fits tightly about the post 252 when the carriage is inserted into the station.

In addition to the yoke 254 and post 252, a separate mechanism is also provided for alignment purposes at the front of the carriage and at the front of the printing station frame. Referring to FIG. 12 there is illustrated at the crossbar 256 on the printing station frame 22 a block 255 having a groove 258 therein and a bracket 260 slidably positioned over bolt 261 just below the groove 258. A stud 257 best shown in FIG. 10 projects from the rear of the carriage and is dimensioned so that it tightly fits within the groove 258 when the carriage is inserted into the printing station. The stud 257 is arranged so that it is eccentrically positioned within the groove 258. Thus if the stud 257 is rotated within the groove 258 a force is generated due to the eccentric arrangement sufficient to laterally move the carriage and printing cylinder 44 as much as one-sixteenth ofa inch. The post 252 and yoke 254 act as a pivot point during this movement. After the stud 257 is rotated the plate 260 is raised and bolted directly over the stud as shown in FIG. 10. In this manner the carriage is locked in place after it is positioned within the station.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the carriage and illustrates the relative positions of the various components before described For example, the yoke 254 is shown positioned at the rear of the carriage, that is the portion of the carriage which first enters the printing station frame. A segment of the web 28 is illustrated as being positioned within the carriage frame only after the carriage is inserted into the printing station. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the web 28 actually passes through the carriage if a carriage configuration such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, that is a C" type frame, is employed. Strut 74 is shown in FIG. 8 in solid lines in its vertical position supporting the carriage frame and resting upon the member 263 which is positioned just above the wheel 84. The dotted illustration 265 indicates the position of the strut 74 after it is raised about pivot point 259. The pivot action occurs when the strut strikes the crossbar 256 of the printing station frame (illustrated in FIG. 12).

FIG. 8 also illustrates a wheel 262 which is positioned directly below and behind the yoke 254. The wheel 262 is shown by means of the dotted illustration to indicate that it is positioned behind the frame segment 70 and toward the center of the carriage. This wheel 262 performs the function of temporarily supporting the carriage near the front of the printing station frame as it is being pushed therein.

The supporting functions of the several carriage components and the printing station frame may be readily understood by referring to FIGS. 9 and 12. In FIG. 12, two projecting

blocks

264 and 266 extend outwardly from the crossbar 256 of the printing station frame and are secured thereto by supporting means such as member 267 and bolts 269. These blocks are slightly inclined downwardly at their

upper surfaces

268 and 270 so that the carriage can be received at each of these surfaces as it is being pushed into the hollow space 271 in the station frame. FIG. 9 illustrates the block 264 and the inclined surface 268 in schematic profile. The

vertical supports

274 and 275 of the printing station frame are partially illustrated in FIG. 9 and shown in perspective in FIG. 12. As indicated in the schematic illustration there is a slight recessed area 276 at the edge of the inclined block 264 which is also shown clearly in FIG. 12. The corresponding block 266 on the opposite side of the station frame is also provided with a recessed area (not shown). Also shown in FIG. 12 is an extended platform 280 which is positioned at the front central portion of the station frame and extends inwardly from the crossbar 256. At each side of the printing station frame there is a track 282 which is employed to support the rollers 78 as the carriage is pushed into the frame. The tracks 282 are positioned immediately adjacent the recessed areas 276. At the rear end of the tracks 282 there are also recessed printing station frame substantially directly opposite the platform 280. The rear platform 286 is provided with a recessed area 288 in the central portion thereof.

As the carriage is initially inserted into the upper and lower

hollow spaces

271 and 272 in the station frame, the rear rollers 78 on the carriage l6 engage the

blocks

264 and 266 at the

inclined surfaces

268 and 270. As the carriage is further pushed into the station frame the carriage wheel 262 (FIG. 9) contacts platform 280 and provides support for the carriage is further pushed At the point of contact between the wheel 262 and the platform 280 the rear rollers 78 are positioned above the recessed areas 276 and provide no support for the carriage. During further travel of the carriage into the station the wheel 262 reaches the edge of the platform 280 at the same time that the rollers 78 reach the front edge of the tracks 282. Thus the rollers engage the tracks 282 and provide support to the carriage at the same time that the wheel 262 is disengaged from the platform 280, and at this point the rear of the carriage is supported solely by the rollers 78. During this period of travel the front portion of the carriage is supported on the ground by the front wheels 86 (FIG. 2). As the carriage is further moved into the station frame these front wheels 86 are eventually lifted off the ground and this occurs simultaneously with the engagement of the front rollers 80 with the

inclined surfaces

268 and 270. While the front rollers 80 are traversing the

inclined surfaces

268 and 270, the rear rollers travel along tracks 282. At the precise point that the rear rollers arrive at the recessed areas 284 at the rear of the tracks 282, the front rollers 80 reach the recessed areas 276 and the wheel 262 is positioned above recess 288. Thus at this point none of these members support the carriage. Rather, the carriage is supported by the engagement of the rear portion of carriage frame 70 with the platform 286 in the rear of the station frame. The front of the carriage is locked in position by means of the stud 257, groove 258 and locking plate 260, as explained with reference to FIG. 10. Of course, prior to this locked position the carriage is gradually moved toward its final engagement with the printing station drive mechanism by means of the rack 179 and pinion 178 and associated equipment as before explained. The positions of

rollers

78 and 80 and wheel 262 during this latter phase of carriage movement is shown by the dotted illustrations in FIG. 9. Once the carriage is in its final position the printing cylinder is rotated by its direct coupling through splined member 238 to the drive shaft 243. The manipulative steps which are carried out when the carriage is inserted into the printing station frame are simply reversed when the carriage is detached from the printing station.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be appreciated that the detachable carriage structure which is disclosed provides important advantages in the operation of a printing press of the type described. When the carriage is detached from a station the auxiliary idling mechanism may be used to rotate the printing cylinder and run in the doctor blade outside of the press. In addition, the printing cylinder can continue to be rotated after doctor blade adjustment is accomplished for the purposes of maintaining the ink in the system in a web and flowable condition. This latter capability is quite advantageous for achieving immediate operation of the cylinder after insertion into the printing station.

Another important feature of the printing press as described is the fact that the carriage frame is integral with the printing cylinder and other components, and this feature permits ready removal of all of the carriage components without the necessity of providing a separate removal carriage. With this construction, accessibility of the carriage components is readily achieved.

We claim:

1. In a rotogravure printing press having a printing station frame defining a hollow space therein, a driving mechanism and an impression roller mounted on said station frame, a detachable carriage movable into and out of said hollow space of said frame, said printing station frame having support means adapted to receive and support said carriage, a coupling member operatively connected to said driving mechanism, said carriage comprising a carriage frame, means operatively connected to said carriage frame for engaging said support means on said printing station frame when said carriage is moved into and out of the hollow space of said printing station frame, a printing cylinder having means on a surface thereof adapted when engaged with web material to apply printed matter thereto, said printing cylinder being rotatably mounted on said carriage frame, means to operatively connect said driving mechanism in operative driving relationship with said printing cylinder during rotation of said driving mechanism, including a coupling member operatively connected to said printing cylinder and adapted to operatively engage said driving mechanism coupling member while said driving mechanism coupling member is rotation to thereby drivingly join said printing cylinder to said driving mechanism on said printing station frame when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame during rotation of said driving mechanism, keying means operatively connected to said coupling members for joining said coupling members in a predetermined relative position with respect to one another, said keying means being selectively positioned relative to the printed matter applying means on the surface of said printing cylinder thereby to align said printing cylinder in a given position relative to said driving mechanism when said coupling members are operatively joined.

2. The rotogravure printing press of claim 1, in which said coupling members comprise a splined male member positioned at the rear of said carriage and a splined female member positioned at the rear section of said printing station frame, said members being adapted to be joined together upon the insertion of said carriage substantially completely into said printing station frame.

3. The rotogravure printing press of claim 2, in which said keying means comprises a projecting part operatively connected to one of said splined members and a receptacle adapted to receive said projecting part operatively connected to the other of said splined members.

4. The rotogravure printing press of claim 3, in which said splined members are provided with chamfered edges to effect a fine registration of said members when said members are joined.

5. In the detachable carriage of claim 1, an idling mechanism on said carriage operatively connected to said printing cylinder to drive the printing cylinder when the carriage is out of the printing station frame, whereby said doctor blade may be dynamically fitted to said printing cylinder outside of said printing station frame.

6. The rotogravure printing press of claim 5, in which said printing cylinder coupling member is disposed at one end of said printing cylinder and said idling mechanism comprises a motor, gearing means operatively connecting said motor and to said other side of said printing cylinder, and clutch means for detaching said motor from said printing cylinder when said printing station driving mechanism is coupled to and drives said printing cylinder.

7. 1n the detachable carriage of claim 1, a self-contained ink providing system on said carriage, said system comprising an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, pump means for circulating the ink between said reservoir and said ink applicating means, and conduit means for carrying the ink while it is so circulated.

8. The rotogravure printing press of claim 1, in which said printing station frame support means comprises a pair of substantially horizontal tracks, one track of said pair being positioned on each side of said hollow space, a platform at the rear section of said printing station frame and extending between said tracks to receive and support the rear part of said carriage, and in which said carriage support engaging means comprises a pair of rollers on each side of the carriage frame, one roller of one pair being positioned at each front side section of said carriage frame and one roller of the other pair being positioned at each rear side section of said carriage frame, said rollers being effective to cause said carriage to slide along said tracks when said carriage is inserted inserted into the printing station frame.

9. The rotogravure printing press of claim 8, in which a pair of blocks are positioned at the front section of said printing station frame and project outwardly therefrom, each block of said pair being positioned in substantial alignment with one of said tracks, each of said blocks having a downwardly inclined surface at the upper portion thereof to receive said rollers on said carriage frame and thereby to assist in the insertion of said carriage into the printing station frame.

10. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 1, a stud mounted on said carriage and projecting therefore, and a groove provided on said printing station frame in the crossbar at the front portion thereof, said groove being adapted to receive said stud on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and locking means at the lower portion of said groove, said locking means securing said stud in said groove thereby locking said carriage to said printing station frame.

11. The rotogravure printing press of claim 10, in which said stud is eccentrically positioned relative to the axis of said groove and is rotatable within said groove, the rotational change of position of said stud causing said carriage to be laterally repositioned within said printing station frame, whereby the position of said printing cylinder in said printing station may be adjusted.

12. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 11, a vertical post mounted at the rear central portion of said printing station frame, and a yoke mounted at the rear central portion of said carriage and projecting outwardly therefrom, said yoke being adapted to tightly fit about said post thereby providing a pivot point about which said carriage is laterally moved by the rotation of said stud.

13. 1n the rotogravure printing press of claim 1, a stop assembly comprising a slidable mounted bar projecting from said carriage frame at the front portion thereof, and a block projecting from the front section of said printing station frame, said block being positioned so as to interfere with said bar on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, thereby to prevent said carriage from being joined to the drive mechanism in the printing station frame with excessive inertia.

14. In the rotogravure press of claim 1, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said cylinder.

15. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 14, an oscillating yoke positioned in the rear portion of said printing station frame, and an elongated rod having a projecting finger at one end thereof, said rod being operatively connected to said doctor blade, said projecting finger being positioned at the rear portion of said carriage, said yoke being adapted to receive and hold said projecting finger when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame thereby to transmit the oscillatory motion thereof to said doctor blade.

16. A rotogravure printing press having a printing station frame defining a hollow space therein and a detachable carriage movable into and out of the hollow space of said frame said printing station frame comprising support means to receive and support said carriage, a driving mechanism, coupling means operatively connected to said driving mechanism, an impression roller, and means to raise and lower the impression roller, said carriage comprising a carriage frame, means operatively connected to said carriage frame for engaging said support means while said carriage is moved into and out of the hollow space of said frame, a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on said carriage frame, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said cylinder, means on said car riage frame for adjusting the position of said doctor blade relative to said cylinder, means for joining said printing cylinder to said coupling means on the printing station frame where the carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and while said driving mechanism coupling means on said printing station frame is rotating, means on said carriage frame for providing application of ink to the printing cylinder, and an idling mechanism on said carriage frame operatively connected to said printing cylinder to drive the printing cylinder when the carriage is out of the printing station frame, whereby said printing cylinder may be inked and said doctor blade may be dynamically fitted to said printing cylinder outside of said printing station frame.

17. The rotogravure printing press of claim 16, in which said printing cylinder coupling member is disposed at one end of said printing cylinder and said idling mechanism comprises a motor, gearing means operatively connecting said motor and to said other side of said printing cylinder, and clutch means for detaching said motor from said printing cylinder when said printing station driving mechanism is coupled to and drives said printing cylinder.

18. A rotogravure printing press having a printing station frame defining a hollow space therein and a detachable carriage movable into and out of the hollow space of said frame, said printing station frame comprising support means to receive and support said carriage, a driving mechanism, a coupling member operatively connected to said drive mechanism, an impression roller, and means to raise and lower the impression roller, said carriage comprising a carriage frame having an integral upper support frame portion and a lower support frame portion, lower wheels positioned beneath said lower support frame portion of said carriage frame for movement of the carriage along the ground when it is outside of the printing station frame and for partial support of the carriage while said carriage is moved into and out of the hollow space of said frame, a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on said upper support frame portion, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said printing cylinder, means on said carriage frame for adjusting the position of said doctor blade relative to said printing cylinder, coupling member operatively connected to said printing cylinder for joining said printing cylinder to said driving mechanism through said coupling member on said printing station frame when the carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and while said driving mechanism coupling member on said printing station frame is rotating, and means on said carriage frame for providing application of ink to the printing cylinder.

19. A rotogravure printing press having a printing station frame defining a hollow space therein a detachable carriage movable into and out of the hollow space of said frame, said printing station frame having a crossbar extending across said hollow space at the front of said frame to aid in the support of said frame and comprising support means to receive and support said carriage, a driving mechanism, a coupling member operatively connected to said driving mechanism, an impression roller, and means to raise and lower the impression roller, said carriage comprising a carriage frame having an upper support frame portion, a lower support frame portion spaced from said upper support frame portion and a vertically extending frame position connecting the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion, said vertically extending frame portion being positioned proximate the front segment of said carriage, lower wheels positioned beneath said carriage frame for movement of the carriage along the ground when it is outside of the printing station frame and for partial support of the carriage while said carriage is moved into and out of the hollow space of said frame, a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on said carriage, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said printing cylinder, means on said carriage frame for adjusting the position of said doctor blade relative to said printing cylinder, a coupling member operatively connected to said printing cylinder for joining said printing cylinder to said driving mechanism through said coupling member on said printing station frame when the carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and while said driving mechanism coupling member on said printing station frame is rotating, and means on said carriage frame for providing application of ink to the printing cylinder.

20. The rotogravure printing press of claim 19, in which at least one upright strut is positioned at the rear of said carriage frame, and extends between said upper support frame portion and said lower support frame portion to provide additional support thereto, said upright strut being pivotally mounted on one of said frame portions, whereupon when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame it is pivoted to assume a horizontal position by engagement with the crossbar of said printing station frame.

21. The rotogravure printing press of claim 19, in which said printing station frame support means comprises a pair of substantially horizontal tracks, one track of said pair being positioned on each side of said hollow space, a platform at the rear section of said printing station frame and extending between said tracks to receive and support the rear part of said carriage, and in which said carriage support engaging means comprises a pair of rollers on each side of the carriage frame, one roller of one pair being positioned at each front side section of said carriage frame and one roller of the other pair being positioned at each rear side section of said carriage frame, said rollers being effective to cause said carriage to slide along said tracks when said carriage is inserted into the printing station frame.

22. The rotogravure printing press of claim 21, in which a pair of blocks are positioned at the front section of said printing station frame and project outwardly therefrom, each block of said pair being positioned in substantial alignment with one of said tracks, each of said blocks having a downwardly inclined surface at the upper portion thereof to receive said rollers on said carriage frame and thereby to assist in the insertion of said carriage into the printing station frame.

23. ln the rotogravure printing press of claim 19, a stud mounted on said carriage and projecting therefrom, and a groove provided on said printing station frame in the crossbar at the front portion thereof, said groove being adapted to receive said stud on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and locking means at the lower portion of said groove, said locking means securing said stud in said groove thereby locking said carriage to said printing station frame.

24. The rotogravure printing press of claim 23, in which said stud is eccentricaLly positioned relative to the axis of said groove and is rotatable within said groove, the rotational change of position of said stud causing said carriage to be laterally repositioned within said printing station frame, whereby the position of said printing cylinder in said printing station may be adjusted.

25. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 24, a vertical post mounted at the rear central portion of said printing station frame, and a yoke mounted at the rear central portion of said carriage and projecting outwardly therefrom, said yoke being adapted to tightly fit about said post thereby providing a pivot point about which said carriage is laterally moved by the rotation of said stud.

26. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 19, a stop assembly comprising a slidably mounted bar projecting from said carriage frame at the front portion thereof, and a block projecting from the front section of said printing station frame, said block being positioned so as to interfere with said bar on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, thereby to prevent said carriage from being joined to the drive mechanism in the printing station frame with excessive inertia.

27. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 19, an oscillating yoke positioned in the rear portion of said printing station frame, and an elongated rod having a projecting finger at one end thereof, said rod being operatively connected to said doctor blade, said projecting finger being positioned at the rear portion of said carriage, said yoke being adapted to receive and hold said projecting finger when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame thereby to transmit the oscillatory motion thereof to said doctor blade.

28. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 19, a self-contained ink providing system on said carriage, said system comprising an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, pump means for circulating the ink between said reservoir and said ink application means, and conduit means for carrying the ink while it is so circulated.

29. For use in a gravure printing press having a printing said carriage frame and a driving mechanism in said station frame, a detachable carriage comprising a substantially C-shaped carriage frame having a substantially horizontally extending upper frame portion, a substantially horizontally extending lower frame portion spaced from said upper frame portion and a substantially vertically extending frame portion connecting said upper frame portion and said lower frame portion and positioned at the front segment of said carriage, lower wheels positioned beneath said carriage frame for movement said carriage along the ground, means operatively connected to said carriage frame for supporting said carriage while said carriage is moved into and out of said printing station frame, a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on said carriage frame, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said cylinder, means on said carriage frame for adjusting the position of said doctor blade relative to said printing cylinder, means for joining said printing cylinder to said driving mechanism in the printing station frame when the carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and when said driving mechanism on said printing station frame is rotating, and means on said carriage frame for providing application of ink to said printing cylinder.

30. In the detachable carriage of claim 29, an idling mechanism on said carriage operatively connected to said printing cylinder to drive the printing cylinder when the carriage is out of the printing station frame, whereby said doctor blade may be dynamically fitted to said printing cylinder outside of said printing station frame.

31. The rotogravure printing press of claim 30, in which said printing cylinder coupling member is disposed at one end of said printing cylinder and said idling mechanism comprises a motor, gearing means operatively connecting said motor and to said other side of said printing cylinder, and clutch means for detaching said, motor from said printing cylinder when said printing station driving mechanism is coupled to and drives said printing cylinder.

32. The detachable carriage of claim 29, in which at least one upright strut is positioned at the rear of said C-shaped carriage frame, and extends between said upper support frame portion and said lower support frame portion to provide additional support thereto, said upright strut being pivotally mounted on one of said frame portions, whereupon when said

Claims

1. In a rotogravure printing press having a printing station frame defining a hollow space therein, a driving mechanism and an impression roller mounted on said station frame, a detachable carriage movable into and out of said hollow space of said frame, said printing station frame having support means adapted to receive and support said carriage, a coupling member operatively connected to said driving mechanism, said carriage comprising a carriage frame, means operatively connected to said carriage frame for engaging said support means on said printing station frame when said carriage is moved into and out of the hollow space of said printing station frame, a printing cylinder having means on a surface thereof adapted when engaged with web material to apply printed matter thereto, said printing cylinder being rotatably mounted on said carriage frame, means to operatively connect said driving mechanism in operative driving relationship with said printing cylinder during rotation of said driving mechanism, including a coupling member operatively connected to said printing cylinder and adapted to operatively engage said driving mechanism coupling member while said driving mechanism coupling member is rotating to thereby drivingly join said printing cylinder to said driving mechanism on said printing station frame when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame during rotation of said driving mechanism, keying means operatively connected to said coupling members for joining said coupling members in a predetermined relative position with respect to one another, said keying means being selectively positioned relative to the printed matter applying means on the surface of said printing cylinder thereby to align said printing cylinder in a given position relative to said driving mechanism when said coupling members are operatively joined.

7. In the detachable carriage of claim 1, a self-contained ink providing system on said carriage, said system comprising an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, pump means for circulating the ink between said reservoir and said ink applicating means, and conduit means for carrying the ink while it is so circulated.

8. The rotogravure printing press of claim 1, in which said printing station frame support means comprises a pair of substantially horizontal tracks, one track of said pair being positioned on each side of said hollow space, a platform at the rear section of said printing station frame and extending between said tracks to receive and support the rear part of said carriage, and in which said carriage support engaging means comprises a pair of rollers on each side of the carriage frame, one roller of one pair being positioned at each front side section of said carriage frame and one roller of the other pair being positioned at each rear side section of said carriage frame, said rollers being effective to cause said carriage to slide along said tracks when said carriage is inserted into the printing station frame.

10. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 1, a stud moUnted on said carriage and projecting therefrom, and a groove provided on said printing station frame in the crossbar at the front portion thereof, said groove being adapted to receive said stud on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and locking means at the lower portion of said groove, said locking means securing said stud in said groove thereby locking said carriage to said printing station frame.

13. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 1, a stop assembly comprising a slidably mounted bar projecting from said carriage frame at the front portion thereof, and a block projecting from the front section of said printing station frame, said block being positioned so as to interfere with said bar on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, thereby to prevent said carriage from being joined to the drive mechanism in the printing station frame with excessive inertia.

16. A rotogravure printing press having a printing station frame defining a hollow space therein and a detachable carriage movable into and out of the hollow space of said frame said printing station frame comprising support means to receive and support said carriage, a driving mechanism, coupling means operatively connected to said driving mechanism, an impression roller, and means to raise and lower the impression roller, said carriage comprising a carriage frame, means operatively connected to said carriage frame for engaging said support means while said carriage is moved into and out of the hollow space of said frame, a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on said carriage frame, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said cylinder, means on said carriage frame for adjusting the position of said doctor blade relative to said cylinder, means for joining said printing cylinder to said coupling means on the printing station frame where the carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and while said driving mechanism coupling means on said printing station frame is rotating, means on said carriage frame for providing application of ink to the printing cylinder, and an idling mechanism on said carriage frame operatively connected to said printing cylinder to drive the printing cylinder when the carriage is out of the printing station frame, whereby said printing cylinder may be inked and said doctor blade may be dynamically fitted to said printing cylinder outside of said printing station frame.

23. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 19, a stud mounted on said carriage and projecting therefrom, and a groove provided on said printing station frame in the crossbar at the front portion thereof, said groove being adapted to receive said stud on said carriage when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and locking means at the lower portion of said groove, said locking means securing said stud in said groove thereby locking said carriage to said printing station frame.

28. In the rotogravure printing press of claim 19, a self-contained ink providing system on said carriage, said system comprising an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, pump means for circulating the ink between said reservoir and said ink applicating means, and conduit means for carrying the ink while it is so circulated.

29. For use in a gravure printing press having a printing station frame and a driving mechanism in said station frame, a detachable carriage comprising a substantially C-shaped carriage frame having a substantially horizontally extending upper frame portion, a substantially horizontally extending lower frame portion spaced from said upper frame portion and a substantially vertically extending frame portion connecting said upper frame portion and said lower frame portion and positioned at the front segment of said carriage, lower wheels positioned beneath said carriage frame for movement said carriage along the ground, means operatively connected to said carriage frame for supporting said carriage while said carriage is moved into and out of said printing station frame, a printing cylinder rotatably mounted on said carriage frame, a doctor blade operatively connected to said carriage frame and adapted to cooperate with said cylinder, means on said carriage frame for adjusting the position of said doctor blade relative to said printing cylinder, means for joining said printing cylinder to said driving mechanism in the printing station frame when the carriage is inserted into said printing station frame, and when said driving mechanism on said printing station frame is rotating, and means on said carriage frame for providing application of ink to said printing cylinder.

32. The detachable carriage of claim 29, in which at least one upright strut is positioned at the rear of said C-shaped carriage frame, and extends between said upper support frame portion and said lower support frame portion to provide additional support thereto, said upright strut being pivotally mounted on one of said frame portions, whereupon when said carriage is inserted into said printing station frame said strut is pivoted to assume a horizontal position.

33. In the detachable carriage of claim 29, a self-contained ink providing system on said carriage, said system comprising an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink, pump means for circulating the ink between said reservoir and said ink applicating means, and conduit means for carrying the ink while it is so circulated.