Automatic cleaning system for press rollers and cylinders

摘要

An improved apparatus and method for cleaning one or more of the rollers used in printing presses. Typically, the printing press features manual or automated devices for supplying cleaning solvent to the press during a washing operation. A blade assembly is pivotally disposed for engagement with the press roller. The blade assembly features a blade unit for scraping solid and liquid debris from the roller, and a receptacle trough for collecting used solvent as well as solid and liquid debris. In the improvement, a sheathing system is provided to supply protective sheath material to cover the blade assembly to keep the blade assembly clean during the washing operation. The sheath material preferably has a low coefficient of friction to prevent wearing of the components and is relatively thin to maintain the blade geometry for effective cleaning of the roller. An absorbent lining is disposed in the receptacle trough to absorb the used ink and solvent and to protect the trough from soiling during the washing operation. The sheathing system is automatically actuated either upon the pivoting engagement of the blade assembly with the press roller or when the blade assembly is pivoted away from the press roller.