EP0755788A1

EP0755788A1 - Cylinder cleaning device for a printing machine

Info

Publication number: EP0755788A1
Application number: EP96250162A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kazuhiro c/o Komori Corporation Maejima; You c/o Komori Corporation Shimizu; Akio Yasukawa
Original assignee: Komori Corp
Current assignee: Komori Corp; Katsura Roller Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-07-24
Filing date: 1996-07-23
Publication date: 1997-01-29
Also published as: JPH0929949A

Abstract

An endless belt-like member (11) is supported circulably by a driving roller (13), which is intermittently driven by an air cylinder (17), and guide rollers (21;22;23). The traveling belt-like member is wetted with a cleaning liquid (25) sprayed by a spray nozzle (20). The belt-like member containing the cleaning liquid is contacted with the peripheral surface of a rotating blanket cylinder (10) by a pressing member (19). Thus, dirt on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder is removed. The belt-like member soiled with the dirt on the blanket cylinder is guided to and dipped in a cleaning vessel (24), where its dirt is eliminated by an ultrasonic oscillator (26).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine, which removes dirt on peripheral surfaces of rotary members, including cylinders such as a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder and a transfer cylinder, as well as rollers such as a form roller and a vibrating roller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

Various printing machines such as an offset printing machine and an intaglio printing machine have cylinders such as a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder and a transfer cylinder, as well as rollers such as a form roller and a vibrating roller. Foreign bodies such as ink deposits and paper dust adhere to the peripheral surfaces of these printing cylinders or rollers during a printing operation, deteriorating the quality of prints. Printing machines have a rotary member cleaning device for removing these foreign bodies.
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 each show the outline of a cylinder cleaning device as a conventional rotary member cleaning device. The cylinder cleaning device shown in FIG. 7 involves contacting a continuous belt-like cleaning web with a blanket cylinder to remove foreign matter adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a feed roller 104 having a continuous belt-like cleaning web 103 wound thereon is rotatably mounted on an upper part of a device frame 102 adjoining a rotatably mounted blanket cylinder 101. On a lower part of the device frame 102, a take-up roller 105 for taking up the delivered cleaning web 103 is rotatably mounted. On the device frame 102, many guide rollers 106 are also pivotally supported for guiding the cleaning web 103 delivered from the feed roller 104 to the take-up roller 105 while contacting the cleaning web 103 slidingly with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 101.
Thus, as the take-up roller 105 is rotated by a driving unit (not shown), the cleaning web 103 is pulled, and a fresh part of the cleaning web 103 is delivered from the feed roller 104. This cleaning web 103 is guided by each guide roller 106 and is wetted with a cleaning liquid injected from a nozzle (not shown). When contacted slidingly with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 101, the wet cleaning web 103 removes foreign matter sticking to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 101. The cleaning web 103 that has become dirty with the foreign matter removed from the blanket cylinder 101 is taken up by the take-up roller 105.
Such a cylinder cleaning device is disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 6-67031.
The cylinder cleaning device shown in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b) contacts a cleaning roller with a blanket cylinder to remove foreign matter adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder. As illustrated in FIG. 8(a), a scraper roller 202 is rotatably mounted in contact with a rotatably mounted blanket cylinder 201. The scraper roller 202 is provided with a blade 203 for scraping off a foreign body adhering to the peripheral surface of the scraper roller 202. A brush roller 204 is rotatably mounted adjacent the scraper roller 202 Below the brush roller 204, a receiver dish 205 filled with a cleaning liquid is provided wish a discharge pipe 206 for discharge of soiled cleaning liquid from the receiver dish 205.
When the scraper roller 202 is rotated by a driving unit (not shown) with respect to the rotating blanket cylinder 201 so that the direction of rotation of the scraper roller 202 is reverse to the direction of rotation of the blanket cylinder 201 at the site of contact of these two members, the scraper roller 202 slidingly contacts the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 201. As a result, foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 201 is scraped off, whereafter the foreign matter adhering to the scraper roller 202 is scraped off by the blade 203 and the brush roller 204.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b), a sponge roller 207 is rotatably mounted in contact with a rotatably mounted blanket cylinder 201. A scraper roller 202 is rotatably mounted in contact with the sponge roller 207. The scraper roller 202 is provided with a blade 203 for scraping off a foreign body adhering to the peripheral surface of the scraper roller 202. Below the sponge roller 207 and the blade 203, is disposed a receiver dish 205 filled with a cleaning liquid is provided with a discharge pipe 206 for discharge of soiled cleaning liquid from the receiver dish 205.
When the sponge roller 207 and the scraper roller 202 are rotated by a driving unit (not shown) with respect to the rotating blanket cylinder 201, the sponge roller 207 scrapes off foreign matter adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 201. Whereas the scraper roller 202 slidingly contacts the sponge roller 207 to scrape off the foreign matter adhering to the peripheral surface of the sponge roller 207. Then, the blade 203 scrapes off the foreign matter adhering to the scraper roller 202.
In the above-described conventional cylinder cleaning device as shown in FIG. 7, the continuous belt-like cleaning web 103 is contacted with the blanket cylinder 101 to remove foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 101. With this type of cylinder cleaning device, the continuous belt-like cleaning web 103 is wound round the take-up roller 105 after being delivered from the feed roller 104 and removing foreign matter from the blanket cylinder 101. The cleaning web stained with the removed foreign matter is discarded. Thus, the consumption cost for the cleaning web 103 increases, causing economic disadvantage to the user. Particularly, if dirt on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 101 is slight, the cleaning web 103 is disposed of although it is minimally dirty.
In a cylinder cleaning device, as shown in FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b), foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 201 is removed by contacting the scraper roller 202 or the sponge roller 207 with the blanket cylinder 201, or scraping the dirt off by means of the blade 203. With this type of cleaning device, dirt adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 201 may be scraped away with the scraper roller 202 or the sponge roller 207. However, the dirt sticking to the scraper roller 202 or the sponge roller 207 cannot be fully removed. Hence, the dirt on the scraper roller 202 or the sponge roller 207 adheres again to the blanket cylinder 201, lowering the cleaning effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is designed to solve the foregoing problems, and its object is to provide a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine, which performs a rotary member cleaning operation with high efficiency.
The present invention for attaining the above object concerns a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine, which involves contacting a belt-like member with a peripheral surface of a rotary member to clean dirt off the peripheral surface of the rotary member, wherein belt-like member cleaning means for cleaning the dirt on the belt-like member is provided.
Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member upon contact with this surface is cleaned by the belt-like member cleaning means to have its dirt removed. This belt-like member kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is characterized by having a belt-like member traveling means for permitting the belt-like member to travel longitudinally.
Thus , the longitudinally traveling belt-like member is contacted with the peripheral surface of the rotary member to remove dirt. The belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member travels longitudinally, arriving at the belt-like member cleaning means to undergo cleaning. The belt-like member kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
Furthermore, the rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the belt-like member cleaning means includes a cleaning vessel where the belt-like member guided by the belt-like member traveling means is dipped, and an ultrasonic oscillator provided in the cleaning vessel.
Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member travels longitudinally, arriving at the cleaning vessel. While being dipped in the cleaning vessel, the belt-like member is cleaned by the ultrasonic oscillator. This belt-like member kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
Moreover, the rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the belt-like member cleaning means includes a cleaning vessel where the belt-like member guided by the belt-like member traveling means is dipped, and a scraper roller is provided in the cleaning vessel.
Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member travels longitudinally, arriving at the cleaning vessel. While being dipped in the cleaning vessel, the belt-like member is cleaned by the scraper roller. The belt-like member thus kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is characterized in that the belt-like member cleaning means includes a jet shower for spraying a cleaning liquid to the belt-like member moved by the belt-like member traveling means.
Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member is cleaned with the cleaning liquid sprayed from the jet shower during its longitudinal travel. The belt-like member thus kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is also characterized in that the belt-like member moved by the belt-like member traveling means is endless, and is circulated by a plurality of guide rollers.
Thus, the endless belt-like member removes dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member while circulating by the action of the guide rollers. During this circulation, the belt-like member is cleaned by the belt-like member cleaning means. Hence, replacement of the belt-like member becomes unnecessary, prolonging its life.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is also characterized in that the belt-like member traveling means comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a driving shaft turned reciprocatingly by the hydraulic cylinder, a driving roller rotatably supported on the driving shaft to have the belt-like member put thereon, and a one-way clutch interposed between the driving shaft and the driving roller.
Thus, when the hydraulic cylinder makes a reciprocating driving motion to turn the driving shaft reciprocatingly, only a turning force in one direction is transmitted to the driving roller by the one-way clutch. While intermittently rotating, this driving roller causes the belt-like member to travel longitudinally. Thus, the belt-like member can be moved with high efficiency by a simple structure.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating peferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are given for the purpose of illustration only, and thus are not limitative, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cylinder cleaning device as a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine concerned with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cylinder cleaning device as a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine concerned with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cylinder cleaning device as a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine concerned with a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a cylinder cleaning device as a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine concerned with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cylinder cleaning device as a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine concerned with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a cylinder cleaning device as a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine concerned with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a conventional cylinder cleaning device; and
FIG. 8(a) and FIG. 8(b) are schematic views of a conventional cylinder cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

A cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the instant first embodiment is provided adjacent to a rotatably supported blanket cylinder 10, as shown in FIG. 1. An endless belt-like member 11 to be contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 removes dirt on this peripheral surface. This endless belt-like member 11 is circulated and press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 to remove dirt, such as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10.
That is, a driving roller 13 for driving the endless belt-like member 11 is rotatably mounted on a support shaft 15 via a one-way clutch 14 at an upper part of a device frame 12. To the support shaft 15 is secured an end portion of a driving lever 16. An air cylinder 17 as a belt-like member traveling means has a cylinder body pivotally mounted on the device frame 12. The front end of a driving rod 18 of the air cylinder 17 is connected to the other end portion of the driving lever 16. Thus, when air is supplied to or discharged from the air cylinder 17, the driving rod 18 is reciprocated to turn the driving lever 16 and the support shaft 15. Only a turning force in one direction of this turning motion is transmitted to the driving roller 13 via the one-way clutch 14. Thus, the driving roller 13 can be intermittently driven rotatably only in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 1.
To a side part of the device frame 12 is attached a pressing member 19 which is formed of a flexible plate-like member and which opposes the blanket cylinder 10 to press the belt-like member 11 against the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10. Above the pressing member 19, a spray nozzle 20 is provided which sprays a cleaning liquid over the belt-like member 11 to wet it. On a lower part of the device frame 12, a plurality of guide rollers 21, 22, 23 are rotatably supported for guiding a circulatory travel of the belt-like member 11. Thus, the endless belt-like member 11 is looped over the driving roller 13, pressing member 19, and guide rollers 21 22, 23, and held with a predetermined tension. As stated previously, the driving roller 13 is intermittently driven rotatably in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 following the supply and discharge of air to and from the air cylinder 17, whereupon the belt-like member 11 intermittently runs in the same direction.
A cleaning vessel 24 as a belt-like member cleaning means is provided at a lower part of the device frame 12. A cleaning liquid 25 is stored in the cleaning vessel 24, in which an ultrasonic oscillator 26 is provided. At an opening at an upper part of the cleaning vessel 24, a cover 27 is openably and closably mounted for restricting evaporation of the cleaning liquid 25. To the bottom of the cleaning vessel 24, a cleaning liquid discharge pipe 28 is connected. The aforementioned guide rollers 22, 23 guiding the belt-like member 11 are situated in the cleaning vessel 24, and guide the running belt-like member 11 to be dipped into the cleaning liquid 25.
The endless belt-like member 11 may be a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, soft rubber, a flocked or raised sheet, paper, or a porous material.
To remove dirt, such as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10, the belt-like member 11 is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 rotating in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 1, with the belt-like member 11 being caused to travel in an opposite direction. That is, when the driving rod 18 is driven reciprocatingly by feeding and discharging air to and from the air cylinder 17, the driving lever 16 and the support shaft 15 are reciprocatingly turned. On this occasion, the driving roller 13 is intermittently driven rotationally only in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 via the one-way clutch 14. The endless belt-like member 11 is held by the driving roller 13, pressing member 19, and guide rollers 21, 22, 23 with a predetermined tension. Because of the intermittent rotational driving of the driving roller 13, the belt-like member 11 also intermittently travels in the same direction. At this time, the belt-like member 11 has been wetted with an optimal amount of a cleaning liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle 20 for cleaning. The belt-like member 11 wetted with the cleaning liquid is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 by the pressing member 19, whereby the dirt, such as foreign matter, on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is removed by the belt-like member 11.
The belt-like member 11 that has become dirty by removing the foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 travels, from time to time, upon the intermittent rotation of the driving roller 13, and is also guided by the guide rollers 22, 23 to be moved to the cleaning vessel 24. There, the belt-like member 11 is dipped into the cleaning liquid 25 stored therein, and is also cleaned ultrasonically with the ultrasonic oscillator 26. The so cleaned belt-like member 11 travels again in a circulatory manner to clean the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10. If the cleaning liquid 25 in the cleaning vessel 24 is soiled and its cleaning capacity declines, the dirty cleaning liquid 25 is discharged through a cleaning liquid discharge pipe 28 at the bottom of the cleaning vessel 24. Then, the cover 27 for the upper opening is removed, and a fresh cleaning liquid is poured in.
As noted above, the intermittently traveling belt-like member 11 is pressed into contact with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 to remove dirt, such as foreign matter, deposited on this peripheral surface. Then, the soiled belt-like member 11 is dipped into the cleaning liquid 25 in the cleaning vessel 24, where it is cleaned with ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic oscillator 26. Thus, it can be turned again into a clean belt-like member 11. This circulatory travel of the endless belt-like member ensures long-tern cleaning of the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 without the need for replacement of the belt-like member 11.
The above-described cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the first embodiment has the ultrasonic oscillator 26 in the cleaning vessel 24 containing the cleaning liquid 25 as a belt-like member cleaning means. However, the present invention is not limited to this instrument.

Second Embodiment

A cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the instant second embodiment is provided with a cleaning vessel 24 and a scraper roller 32 as belt-like member cleaning means, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This scraper roller 32 is rotatably supported in the cleaning vessel 24, and rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown). A press roller 31, like guide rollers 22, 23, is rotatably supported in the cleaning vessel 24, and is situated between the guide rollers 22 and 23. The scraper roller 32 is positioned to oppose the press roller 31 so that the belt-like member 11 will be sandwiched between the scraper roller 32 and the press roller 31. Rotation of the scraper roller 32 is controlled so that the scraper roller 32 is rotatably driven in the opposite direction as the press roller 31 is rotated as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 due to the travel of the belt-like member 11. At the site of contact between the press roller 31 and the scraper roller 32, the directions of movement of these two rollers are reverse to each other.
To remove dirt, much as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10, the belt-like member 11 is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 rotating in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 2, with the belt-like member 11 being caused to travel in an opposite direction. That is, when air is fed to and discharged from the air cylinder 17, the driving roller 13 is intermittently driven rotatably only in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 2 via the driving lever 16, etc. The endless belt-like member 11 held with a predetermined tension intermittently travels in the same direction by the action of the driving roller 13. During this travel, the belt-like member 11 wetted with a cleaning liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle 20 is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 by the pressing member 19. Thus, the dirt, such as foreign matter, on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is removed by the belt-like member 11. The belt-like member 11 soiled by removing the foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is moved by the driving roller 13, and guided by the guide rollers 22, 23 into the cleaning vessel 24. There, the belt-like member 11 is dipped into the cleaning liquid 25 stored therein, and is also cleaned by the press roller 31 and the scraper roller 32, with the press roller 31 and the scraper roller 32 moving in opposite directions at the site of their contact. The so cleaned belt-like member 11 travels again in a circulatory manner to clean the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10.
As noted above, the intermittently traveling belt-like member 11 is pressed into contact with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 to remove dirt, such as foreign matter, deposited on this peripheral surface. Then, the soiled belt-like member 11 is dipped into the cleaning liquid 25 in the cleaning vessel 24, where it is cleaned by the combination of the press roller 31 and the scraper roller 32. Thus, it can be turned again into a clean belt-like member 11. In this case, the belt-like member cleaning means for cleaning the soiled belt-like member 11 may be the scraper roller 32 or a scraper blade, as well as the aforementioned cleaning vessel 24 or the ultrasonic oscillator 26.
The above-described cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the first and second embodiments has an endless belt-like member, but the present invention is not limited to it.

Third Embodiment

A cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the instant third embodiment is provided adjacent to a rotatably supported blanket cylinder 10, as shown in FIG. 3. A belt-like member 41 to be contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 to remove dirt on this peripheral surface has ends. That is, at an upper part of a device frame 42, a feed roll 43 having the belt-like member 41 wound thereon is supported by a support shaft 44 so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow shown in FIG. 3. The feed roll 43 undergoes a braking force in a direction opposite to this direction of the arrow, so that the belt-like member 41 is delivered with a predetermined tension. At a lower part of the device frame 42, a take-up roll 45 for taking up the belt-like member 41 is supported by a support shaft 46 so as to be rotatable in the direction of an arrow shown in FIG. 3. The take-up roll 45 is adapted to be rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown) as a belt-like member traveling means.
To a side part of the device frame 42 is fixed a pressing member 47 formed of an elastic material, such as rubber, which opposes the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10. Above the pressing member 47, a spray nozzle 48 is provided which sprays a cleaning liquid over the belt-like member 41 to wet it. On a lower part of the device frame 42, a plurality of guide rollers 49, 50 are rotatably supported for guiding travel of the belt-like member 41. Thus, the belt-like member 41 delivered from the feed roll 43 has a front end passed over the pressing member 47 and guide rollers 49, 50, and wound round the take-up roll 45, whereby the belt-like member 41 is held with a predetermined tension. When the take-up roll 45 is rotationally driven by the driving unit, the belt-like member 41 runs in the direction of an arrow shown in FIG. 3.
A cleaning vessel 24 as a belt-like member cleaning means is provided at a lower part of the device frame 42, as in the aforementioned first embodiment. The cleaning vessel 24 contains a cleaning liquid 25, and accommodates an ultrasonic oscillator 26. At an owning at an upper part of the cleaning vessel 24, a cover 27 is openably and closably mounted. A cleaning liquid discharge pipe 28 is connected to the bottom of the cleaning vessel 24. Guide rollers 49, 50 for guiding the belt-like member 41 are situated in the cleaning vessel 24. The belt-like member 41 having ends may be a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, soft rubber, a flocked or raised sheet, paper, or a porous material.
To remove dirt, such as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10, the belt-like member 41 is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 rotating in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 3, with the belt-like member 41 being moved in an opposite direction. That is, when the take-up roll 45 is rotationally driven by the driving unit, the belt-like member 41 is pulled, and delivered from the feed roll 43. Then, the belt-like member 41 moves while being guided by the pressing member 47 and guide rollers 49, 50. At this time, the belt-like member 41 has been wetted with an optimal amount of the cleaning liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle 20 for cleaning. The belt-like member 41 wetted with the cleaning liquid is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 by the pressing member 19, whereby the dirt, such as foreign matter, on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is removed by the belt-like member 41.
The belt-like member 41 soiled by removing the foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 travels upon the rotation of the take-up roll 45, and is also guided by the guide rollers 49, 50 to be moved to the cleaning vessel 24. There, the belt-like member 41 is dipped into the cleaning liquid 25 stored therein, and is also cleaned with ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic oscillator 26. The so cleaned belt-like member 41 is wound round the take-up roller 45. When there is no more belt-like member 41 fed by the feed roll 43, the cleaned roll of the take-up roll 45 is set on the feed roll 43 side, whereby a cleaning operation for the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 can be performed again.
As noted above, the so traveling belt-like member 41 is pressed into contact with the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 to remove dirt, such as foreign matter, deposited on this peripheral surface. Then, the soiled belt-like member 41 is dipped into the cleaning liquid 25 in the cleaning vessel 24, where it is cleaned with ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic oscillator 26. Thus, it can be turned again into a clean belt-like member 41. This procedure enables the belt-like member to be used for a long period in a cleaning operation for the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 without the need for disposal of the belt-like member 11.

Fourth Embodiment

A cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the instant fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, is adapted to remove dirt by bringing an endless belt-like member 11, traveling in a circulatory manner, into pressed contact with the peripheral surface of a rotatably supported blanket cylinder 10. The cylinder cleaning device employs a jet shower as a belt-like member cleaning means for cleaning the dirt off the belt-like member 11. That is, a driving roller 13 for driving the endless belt-like member 11 is rotatably mounted at an upper part of a device frame 12. The driving roller 13 is rotated by a driving motor (not shown). On a side part of the device frame 12, a pressing member 19 and a spray nozzle 20 are provided opposite to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10. On a lower part of the device frame 12, a plurality of guide rollers 23 are rotatably supported for guiding circulatory travel of the belt-like member 11. Thus, the endless belt-like member 11 is looped over the driving roller 13, pressing member 19, and guide rollers 23, and held with a predetermined tension. When the driving roller 13 is rotationally driven by the driving motor in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 4, the belt-like member 11 runs in the same direction.
At a lower part of the device frame 12, a jet shower 51 is disposed above the belt-like member 11 traveling in a circulatory manner. A feed pipe 52 for feeding a cleaning liquid is connected to the jet shower 51. Below the circulating belt-like member 11 is disposed a receiver dish 53 at a position opposing the jet shower 51. A discharge pipe 54 is connected to the receiver dish 53 which sucks and discharges accumulated cleaning liquid.
To remove dirt, such as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10, the driving roller 13 is rotatably driven by the driving motor, causing the belt-like member 11, held with a predetermined tension, to run in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. The belt-like member 11 is wetted with an optimal amount of the cleaning liquid sprayed by the spray nozzle 20. The belt-like member 11 wetted with the cleaning liquid is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the rotating blanket cylinder 10 by the pressing member 19, whereby the dirt, such as foreign matter, on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is removed by the belt-like member 11. Then, the belt-like member 11 soiled by removing the foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is moved to the jet shower 51, where the belt-like member 11 is cleaned with a cleaning liquid sprayed by the jet shower 51. The cleaning liquid that has been used in cleaning is accumulated in the receiver dish 53, sucked from the discharge pipe 54 and discharged to the outside.

Fifth Embodiment

A cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the instant fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, is adapted to remove dirt by bringing an endless belt-like member 11, traveling in a circulatory manner, into pressed contact wish the peripheral surface of a rotatably supported blanket cylinder 10. The cylinder cleaning device employs a jet shower and a brush roller as belt-like member cleaning means for cleaning the dirt off the belt-like member 11. That is, at a lower part of a device frame 12, a jet shower 51 is disposed above the belt-like member 11 traveling in a circulatory manner. A feed pipe 52 for feeding a cleaning liquid is connected to the jet shower 51. Below the circulating belt-like member 11, a rotatably driven brush roller 61 is mounted opposed to the jet shower 51. Below the brush roller 61, a receiver dish 53 is disposed. A discharge pipe 54 which sucks and discharges accumulated cleaning liquid is connected to the receiver dish 53.
To remove dirt, such as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10, the driving roller 13 is rotationally driven, causing the belt-like member 11, held with a predetermined tension, to run in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 5. The belt-like member 11 is wetted with an optimal amount of a cleaning liquid sprayed by a spray nozzle 20. The belt-like member 11 wetted with the cleaning liquid is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the rotating blanket cylinder 10 by a pressing member 19, whereby the dirt, such as foreign matter, on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is removed by the belt-like member 11. Then, the belt-like member 11 soiled by removing the foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is moved to the area of the jet shower 51, where the belt-like member 11 is cleaned with a cleaning liquid sprayed by the jet shower 51 and under the action of the brush roller 61. The cleaning liquid that has been used in cleaning is accumulated in the receiver dish 53, sucked into the discharge pipe 54 and discharged to the outside.

Sixth Embodiment

A cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the instant sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, is adapted to remove dirt by bringing an endless belt-like member 11, traveling in a circulatory manner, into pressed contact with the peripheral surface of a rotatably supported blanket cylinder 10. The cylinder cleaning device employs a jet shower and a scraper roller as belt-like member cleaning means for cleaning the dirt off the belt-like member 11. That is, at a lower part of a device free 12, a jet shower 51 is disposed above the belt-like member 11 traveling in a circulatory manner. A feed pipe 52 for feeding a cleaning liquid is connected to the jet shower 51. Below the circulating belt-like member 11, a receiver dish 53 is disposed opposite to the jet shower 51. A discharge pipe 54 for sucking and discharging accumulated cleaning liquid is connected to the receiver dish 53. Adjacent to the jet shower 51 and the receiver dish 53, a press roller 71 is rotatably supported. Opposed to the press roller 71, a scraper roller 72 is disposed so that the belt-like member 11 will be sandwiched between the scraper roller 72 and the press roller 71. The scraper roller 72 is mounted to be rotatably driven by a driving unit (not shown).
To remove dirt, such as foreign matter, adhering to the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10, the driving roller 13 is rotationally driven, causing the belt-like member 11, held with a predetermined tension, to run in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 6. The belt-like member 11 is wetted with an optimal amount of a cleaning liquid sprayed by a spray nozzle 20. The belt-like member 11 wetted with the cleaning liquid is press-contacted with the peripheral surface of the rotating blanket cylinder 10 by a pressing member 19, whereby the dirt, such as foreign matter, on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is removed by the belt-like member 11 Then, the belt-like member 11 soiled by removing the foreign matter on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is moved to the area of the jet shower 51. There, the belt-like member 11 is cleaned with a cleaning liquid sprayed by the jet shower 51 and under the action of the scraper roller 72 in combination with the press roller 71. The cleaning liquid that has been used in cleaning is accumulated in the receiver dish 53, sucked into the discharge pipe 54 and discharged to the outside.
As described above, the belt-like member 11 soiled by removing the dirt on the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 is cleaned by the jet shower 51, brush roller 61 or scraper roller 72. Thus, it can be turned again into a clean belt-like meter 11. Such circulatory travel of the endless belt-like member ensures long-term cleaning of the peripheral surface of the blanket cylinder 10 without the need for replacement of the belt-like member 11.
The above-described embodiments explain the invention using cleaning vessel 24, ultrasonic oscillator 26, scraper rollers 32, 72, jet shower 51, and brush roller 61 as belt-like member cleaning means. However, the cylinder cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is not limited by them. Air cylinder 17 and a driving motor have been used as belt-like member traveling means for causing the belt-like member 11 to travel, but any other unit may be used. Furthermore, the cylinder cleaning device itself may be rendered close to and away from the blanket cylinder 10: When in use, the device can approach and clean the blanket cylinder 10 as stated earlier, while when not in use, it can leave the blanket cylinder 10 and retreat to a position where a printing operation is not affected.
In the embodiments, moreover, the rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention has been described as a cleaning device for the blanket cylinder 10. Besides, the device may be applied to cylinders such as an impression cylinder and a transfer cylinder, as well as rollers such as a form roller, a vibrating roller, a guide roller and an inking roller.
As described in detail by reference to the embodiments, the present invention concerns a rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine, which involves contacting a belt-like member with a peripheral surface of a rotary member to clean dirt off the peripheral surface of the rotary member, wherein belt-like member cleaning means for cleaning the dirt off the belt-like member is provided. Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member upon contact with this surface is cleaned by the belt-like member cleaning means to have its dirt removed. This belt-like member kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member, and improve the efficiency of a rotary member cleaning operation.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention also has a belt-like member traveling means for permitting the belt-like member to travel longitudinally. Thus, the longitudinally traveling belt-like member is contacted with the peripheral surface of the rotary member to remove dirt. The belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member is run and cleaned by the belt-like member cleaning means. The belt-like member kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
Furthermore, the rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention constitutes the belt-like member cleaning means from a cleaning vessel where the belt-like member guided by the belt-like member traveling means is dipped, and an ultrasonic oscillator provided in the cleaning vessel. Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member is run longitudinally. While being dipped in the cleaning vessel, the belt-like member is cleaned by the ultrasonic oscillator. This belt-like member kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
Moreover, the rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention constitutes the belt-like member cleaning means from a cleaning vessel where the belt-like member guided by the belt-like member traveling means is dipped, and a scraper roller provided in the cleaning vessel. Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member is run longitudinally. While being dipped in the cleaning vessel, the belt-like member is cleaned by the scraper roller. The belt-like member thus kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention also uses as the belt-like member cleaning means a jet shower for spraying a cleaning liquid on the belt-like member moved by the belt-like member traveling means. Thus, the belt-like member having removed the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member is cleaned with the cleaning liquid sprayed from the jet shower during its longitudinal travel. The belt-like member thus kept clean can reliably eliminate the dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention is also constituted such that the belt-like member caused to travel by the belt-like member traveling means is endless, and is circulated by a plurality of guide rollers. Thus, the endless belt-like member removes dirt on the peripheral surface of the rotary member while circulating by the action of the guide rollers. During this circulation, the belt-like member is cleaned by the belt-like member cleaning means. Hence, replacement of the belt-like member becomes unnecessary, prolonging its life and reducing the cost of operation.
The rotary member cleaning device of a printing machine according to the present invention also constitutes the belt-like member traveling means from a hydraulic cylinder, a driving shaft turned reciprocatingly by the hydraulic cylinder, a driving roller rotatably supported on the driving shaft to have the belt-like member put thereon, and a one-way clutch interposed between the driving shaft and the driving roller. Thus, when the hydraulic cylinder makes a reciprocating driving motion to turn the driving shaft reciprocatingly, a turning force only in one direction is transmitted to the driving roller by the one-way clutch. While intermittently rotating, this driving roller causes the belt-like member to travel longitudinally. Thus, the belt-like member can be caused to travel with high efficiency by a simple structure.
While the present invention has been described by reference to the embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A rotary member cleaning device for a printing machine comprising:
a rotary member (10) with a belt-like member (11) having a peripheral surface, the peripheral surface of the belt-like member (11) being engageable with an element of the printing machine; and

belt-like cleaning means (24, 26, 32, 51, 61, 72) for cleaning said belt-like member (11).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 1, further comprising traveling means (17) for moving the belt-like member (11) in a longitudinal direction.
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 2, wherein the cleaning means comprises:
a cleaning vessel (24) within which said belt-like member (11) is moved by the traveling means (17), the cleaning vessel (24) containing a cleaning fluid and the belt-like member (11) being dipped in the cleaning fluid when being moved through the cleaning vessel; and

an ultrasonic oscillator (26) provided in the cleaning vessel (24) for cleaning the belt-like member (11) as the belt-like member (11) moves through the cleaning vessel (24).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 2, wherein the cleaning means comprises:
a cleaning vessel (24) within which said belt-like member (11) is move by the traveling means (17), the cleaning vessel (24) containing a cleaning fluid and the belt-like member (11) being dipped in the cleaning fluid when being moved through the cleaning vessel (24); and

a scraper roller (32) provided in the cleaning vessel (24), the scraper roller (32) being engageable with the belt-like member (11).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 2, wherein the cleaning means comprises a jet shower (51) for spraying a cleaning liquid on said belt-like member (11) at least when the belt-like member (11) is moved by the traveling means (17).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 5, wherein the cleaning means further comprises a brush roller (61) engageable with the belt-like member (11) at least when the belt-like member (11) is moved by the traveling means (17).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 5, wherein the cleaning means further comprises a press roller (71) and a scraper roller (72), and the belt-like member (11) is sandwiched between the press roller (71) and the scraper roller (72) at least when the belt-like member (11) is moved by the traveling means (17).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 2, wherein the belt-like member (11) is an endless belt and wherein the cleaning device further comprises a plurality of guide rollers (21, 22, 23) for guiding the endless belt as the belt is moved by the traveling means (17).
The rotary member cleaning device of Claim 2, wherein the traveling means comprises:
a fluid cylinder (17);

a driving shaft (15) connected to and reciprocated by the fluid cylinder (17);

a driving roller (13) rotatably supported on the driving shaft (15), the belt-like member (11) being supported on the driving roller (13); and

a one-way clutch (14) interposed between the driving shaft (15) and the driving roller (13), the fluid cylinder (17) reciprocates the driving shaft (15) and the one-way clutch (14) transmit driving force to the driving roller (13) in only one direction of reciprocation of the driving shaft (15).