METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING A FIBROUS WEB

摘要

An apparatus for printing a fibrous web with a decorative pattern, comprising a printing roll having a cavity forming a shaped ink transfer zone to print a principal pattern on the fibrous web through rolling contact therewith, and an array of small recesses in a spaced apart relationship surrounding the cavity and having the ability to trap dirt particles adhering to the printing roll which are being trained over its relief surface by a doctor blade scraping excess ink therefrom. The array of recesses provides a cleaning action by continuously dislodging dirt particles collecting underneath the leading edge of the doctor blade and preventing the dirt particles from agglomerating into large flocs which may interfere with the operation of the doctor blade. The array of recesses also defines an ink transfer zone printing on the fibrous web a relatively faint background pattern upon which the principal pattern is visually eminent. The invention also extends to a method for conditioning a printing roll to prevent dirt particles from accumulating under a doctor blade used in association with the printing roll.