Method and apparatus for cleaning printing presses

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided for washing elements of a printing press. In accordance with the method, the press and the ink supply pump are operated during the washing operation. Wash liquid is delivered to the press fountain and passed through the press in a cocurrent ink flow direction while effecting washing of those elements of the press normally contacted with ink. Wash liquid is also passed in a countercurrent ink flow direction through the ink supply line, and an ink filter if present, and introduced into the ink pump through its discharge line while it is being operated in order to wash the internal surfaces of the pump and ink supply line as well as the filter, if present. Wash liquid is also applied to the external surfaces of the pump. In all cases, the wash liquid is discharged after a single washing contact without recirculation. The apparatus includes an electronic control for automatically actuating liquid flow control valves and a pump for injecting solvent or detergent into the wash liquid and a shower head for applying wash liquid to the external surface of the pump, together with suitable conduits for delivery of the wash liquid to the press.