CONTINUOUS IMAGE TRANSFER BELT AND VARIABLE IMAGE SIZE OFFSET PRINTING SYSTEM

摘要

A continuous image transfer belt (12) which is useable in a variable image size offset press system (10) and which is adapted to permit the press to print a variety of different sized printed matter is provided. The image transfer belt includes at least one base ply (46), at least one layer of a compressible material (44) over the base ply, and a surface ply (40) over the layer of compressible material. Preferably, the belt is continuous. The belt is used in an offset printing system having the capability to print variable-sized images. The system includes a source of ink (16); at least one plate cylinder (P) and at least one blanket cylinder (B). The system is characterized in that a replaceable sleeve (21) for the plate cylinder is provided with a printing plate (20) which is adapted to receive ink from the ink source. The image transfer belt is positioned to contact the printing plate in a nip formed between the plate and blanket cylinders. An image transfer belt tensioning system (22, 24, 26) is provided to register the image tranfer belt to the blanket cylinder position in the area of desired image transfer; and an image belt cleaning station (30) is adapted to remove residual ink from the surface of the belt.